I am a hobbyist getting started on metalworking, and I need advice as to what type of bar stock i should use. I plan on making daggers, swords, and other similar sized objects. Also, if anyone is experienced in this sort of thing I would really appreciate any pointers.
Not only does it depend on your capabilities, I depends on what you are designing. You don't make fine, filligree'd inlays with two inch L stock. Nor do you make a Scottish Claighmoore with 3/8 inch round stock. The DESIGN determines the materials. If you let the materials direct your designs, you are limiting yourslef to no purpose. Let your imagination direct your plans, then go out and find the materials that suit the design.
It depends what you have the capability of working with (tools) and what you want to make. If you make a knife by grinding, your blank has to be the size of the blade you are making. If you make a knife by forging, the stock can have smaller dimensions as you are going to spread the metal. If you want to make usable knifes, more important is that you buy tool steel and that you know what kind of tool steel it is, and consequently know whether you have to harden and temper it in oil, water or air. Though before you go through the process with expensive tool steel practice either on copper (easier to work) or mild steel (cheaper) until you really know what you are doing. I'd recommend taking a metal working class, preferably one you learn some forging and welding, but also other metal working techniques. With a class you don't need to buy expensive tools. You can first try out which ones you find really useful. Or if you go to the anvilfire website, they have lists of books, read through some of those.
