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Posted

I've had a pretty good look for some metal suppliers in the UK and so far I've been unable to find a supplier that stocks it. I've found a few that stock mild steel and have used a good one near me a few times, but I haven't been able to find one that stocks different types of steels. I'm looking mainly for 1095 and 15N20 or something analogous to them to use for pattern welding. It would also just be useful in the future to be able to get different types of metal should I ever need them. I live in the UK, so that's where it has to be. I'm not averse to driving the whole length of the country if I have to. I actually live just over the border into Wales, directly west of Shrewsbury. Many thanks in advance.

Posted

I've had a pretty good look for some metal suppliers in the UK and so far I've been unable to find a supplier that stocks it. I've found a few that stock mild steel and have used a good one near me a few times, but I haven't been able to find one that stocks different types of steels. I'm looking mainly for 1095 and 15N20 or something analogous to them to use for pattern welding. It would also just be useful in the future to be able to get different types of metal should I ever need them. I live in the UK, so that's where it has to be. I'm not averse to driving the whole length of the country if I have to. I actually live just over the border into Wales, directly west of Shrewsbury. Many thanks in advance.


You can buy small amounts on line from varius sources, google steel suppliers/stockholders or use Yell.com or find an engineering company near to you and ask them where they source their materials from,

Dave Budd may step in and answer this for you or email him direct
Posted

we are a little limited in this country with what steels we can get, at least in certain cross sections. That said, if you can forge thenyou can change those cross sections ;)

I buy different steels from a bunch of places depending on what i am after, but the two best places for tool and spring steel are Argent (http://www.argentsteel.co.uk/index.html) and Furnival (http://www.furnivalsteel.co.uk/index.htm). Between them you can get pretty much any carbon steel (and some stainless) that the UK has to offer, and without paying the stupid prices that West Yorks steel charge!

As for 1095 and 15N20, that's another story. I've fouind 1095 in shim stock for making springs, but nothing larger and Udenholm won't ship 15N20 over here unless you put in a large order (many tonnes). Most folk who make pattern welded steel(which I guess is why you ask about those) either get 15n20 and C20 from abroad in small amounts (say posted from a friend) or get bits via Mick Maxen (http://www.patternweldingsteels.co.uk/), who sells the stuff for pattern welding when he has the steel.

Bandsaw blades are often used for the bright layer (nickel baring) as they are often made from L6 in the US or 15N20 in Sweden, trouble is that here they are mostly a plain carbon steel like EN42 so etch dark or grey not bright. L6 in the UK is NOT the same as L6 in the US, it hasn't the same nickel content so doesn't always comoe out as bright. That all said, if you come across a bandsaw blade marked with Swedish names then it might well be 15n20, in which case cut a bit off and try it

You could use two steels of differnet chemistry to get a contrast, but as close to the same that they heat treat well together. O1 and a plain carbom like EN42 are close in HT and the major difference in chemistry is the Chromium, meaning that O1 is very dark and En42 is a mid grey by contrast. Not the bright contrast of 15n20, but it works! It used to be common to use a single carbon steel (say O1, old files,etc) and mild steel as the contrast, but of course you lose some cutting ability due to the mild; easily overcome by adding a central core of tool steel to a sandwich of pattern welded sides.

Look up Imagedude on here, he is geographically near you and is good at rooting out the odd sources of metal and tools. Also into the odd mit of pattern welding so may have found a source of steels nearby. Also get yourself over to British Blades, loads of info there

Posted

Dave has it pretty much spot on .
I will add to that that both these steel specs will be available in europe . I know Akim Wirtz sells and equivalent to both those specks in germany and Nordell knives (either norway and finnland).
I used to buy my stock direct from udderholm but had the last lot brought in from america.
In america Kelly couples will ship to UK and shears to size .
I know there are a few people searching out alternatives for these steels as they are so hard to get in the UK. the problem is that 15n20 and en42 or 1095 are so well suited to the pattern manipulations and HT that blade steel needs.
what you are looking for is differences in Manganese against a material that etches lite (15n20 has 2% nickel) , more manganese makes the steel darker grey/black less makes it lighter but manganese also affects the depth of hardening.
good luck in your search

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