Ok here a good one... from a guy that would like to make a knife... kind of my first one!!
What would be the best steel to use? I won't be forging it, I will shape it most likely by hand, with files!

what do you suggest. I have a friend that could do the heat tretment for me.

Thank you.

1075, 1080, or 1084 would be good to make a knife with limited tools and heat treating capability.  If your friend has a way to control the soak temp 5160 would also be good.

Thank you, I will chck with him, if he as some of that stuff!!

1080 or 1084 are very forgiving on heat treatment.

What about O1 tool steel? My friend said he as some, and it is probably the most foul proof to work with?!?!
He's a knife maker, and he as everything to heat treat.... That said, I would be doing all the work with files, sand paper.

If your friend has made knives, has the steel, as well as the know-how to heat treat it, then I'd say go ahead and give it a whirl.  If you're going to be doing draw filing and sanding (which is how I started), you should be fine as long as the steel is good and soft (annealed).  O1 is definitely a higher alloy steel (deeper hardening), but I wouldn't worry a whole lot about the steel at this point.  Again, with a friend who can help walk you through a few things and heat treat, just jump on it and have some fun.  And be sure to post some pictures   .


Jeremy

Thank you Jeremy. I will go for a visit at is shop tomorow... And I think it will be fun. I will post some pics of my work and the final thing as well!!

Good deal, David.  You're going to have a great time.  Good luck to you


Jeremy