[AlArchie]

HiHo, check with a local machine shop and see if they have tool steel available. You can get it in rod or bar form. round rod will have to be forged but flat stock can be ground to size. T1 or 01 should be available. You can also ask them for heat treating and tempering advice. Or wait for Rick or Band-aid for advise. They seem to be the best as far as knife making goes!

Al

I make my blades by the 'stock removal method' (grinding). I use worn out reciprocating saw blades that I get from scrounging the trash barrels at work. I mount them with epoxy in oak or maple handles made from scraps I also get from work.

I have been using the detail knife I made last fall for almost a year now and like it as much as the store bought carving knives I have as far as keeping an edge and making smooth cuts.