410, 420 steel prices.

jmforge

Well-Known Member
So why do these these steels so expensive? I found 2 sources, Alro and McMaster Carr that has 420 bars for hundreds of dollars of like 1/4 inch x 2 inch flats 12-24 inches long. Like over $100 a pound!!! 410 was not quite so bad, but Jantz had stuff for lalmost $20 a pound!!!!!
 
So why do these these steels so expensive? I found 2 sources, Alro and McMaster Carr that has 420 bars for hundreds of dollars of like 1/4 inch x 2 inch flats 12-24 inches long. Like over $100 a pound!!! 410 was not quite so bad, but Jantz had stuff for lalmost $20 a pound!!!!!
I don't know what size you are looking for but Admiral Steel has both 410 and 416 for what look to be fairly reasonable prices. 416 3/16" X 2" X 36" is about $61.00
 
I don't know what size you are looking for but Admiral Steel has both 410 and 416 for what look to be fairly reasonable prices. 416 3/16" X 2" X 36" is about $61.00
So is $16 a pound what passes for reasonable these days? That what that adds up to and it is like 25% more than stainless blade steel. So much for the old adage about steel being a very small percentage of your costs. ;)
 
So is $16 a pound what passes for reasonable these days? That what that adds up to and it is like 25% more than stainless blade steel. So much for the old adage about steel being a very small percentage of your costs. ;)
I suppose it depends on what you are using it for. I only use 416 for bolsters. So a piece 36" long would last me a long time.
 
Some materials in some shapes have been non existent and/or stupidly priced. It's hit and miss but there is some more "common" stuff that has been vapor ware. We waited 6 months for an overhead door spring that's nothing special. But nobody was rolling it due to either material supply or product demand.
 
Unless you can guarantee a supply of whatever material you need, you're probably better off making knives based on what materials you can get in stock.
 
I suppose it depends on what you are using it for. I only use 416 for bolsters. So a piece 36" long would last me a long time.
I use it for guards, buttcaps, etc. Even after cleaning out my shop, I still have a couple of 36 x 2 x 1/4 bars of 416. I was looking at 410 or 420 for san mai cladding.
 
I use it for guards, buttcaps, etc. Even after cleaning out my shop, I still have a couple of 36 x 2 x 1/4 bars of 416. I was looking at 410 or 420 for san mai cladding.
I ordered some 410SS from Admiral for San Mai cladding. They also have 416 SS in 3/8" bars. Didn't say it was cheap :) Heck, AEB-L can be less expensive that 410SS it seems. AEB-L is a bit more tricky to get successful welds for me anyway.
 
I ordered some 410SS from Admiral for San Mai cladding. They also have 416 SS in 3/8" bars. Didn't say it was cheap :) Heck, AEB-L can be less expensive that 410SS it seems. AEB-L is a bit more tricky to get successful welds for me anyway.
Yes. it can be less expensive. :eek: Do you weld up your 410 san mai billet edges?
 
Yes, for sure I weld completely all around the billet edge to seal completely. I have done a few Go Mai (copper between the layers) without welding by wrapping in SS foil since the "welding" temperature is only 1850°F. I do the Go Mai in the oven rather than forge for better temperature control.
 
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