I don't know for sure what you have is 52100. I've heard there are some stainless ball bearings, but I have'nt come across one yet. The balls I use come from bearing out of large electric motors. I first normalize the steel, then weld a rebar handle on it. I forge it in a coal forge. This steel don't move very good at the lower temp that I forge at, but I think it makes a better blade forging at a lower temp. I start forging the ball to a square shape about 1/2" square then forge it out to the blade shape. I normalize three times,anneal three times, grind to final shape, heatreat,. Hope this helps, Buddy