Laser-Cut Knife Blanks
We laser-cut custom blade blanks out of specialty high carbon and stainless steels specifically designed for blades. Our fiber laser cuts with precision, leaving a clean edge finish with a minimal heat-affected zone.
We stock a wide variety of other materials, including mild steel, 304 and 316 stainless, and various grades of aluminum. However, the types and thicknesses most commonly used for blade making are shown below:
Stainless Steel - CPM154
Thicknesses: 1/16", 3/32", 1/8". 5/32", 3/16"
Made from powdered metal, CPM154 is relatively easy to machine and grind, and maintains an edge better than traditional materials like 440C. CPM154 is a common choice for high-end blades.
Stainless Steel - S30V
Thicknesses: 3/32", 1/8". 5/32", 3/16"
Comparable to CPM154, but reportedly holds an edge better at the expensive of more sharpening difficulty. Relatively easy to work.
Stainless Steel - 440C
Thicknesses: 1/16", 3/32", 1/8". 5/32", 3/16"
A high quality, but cheaper option compared S30V and CPM154. More difficult to work and sharpen than powder-made materials, but still commonly used in high-end kitchen knives and general-purpose blades.
Tool Steel - D2, Air Hardening
Thicknesses: 1/16", 3/32", 1/8". 5/32", 3/16"
Good combination of wear resistance and toughness. Widely considered a superior material for blades, holding a better edge than high-end stainless alloys. Will rust if not properly cared-for, but is significantly more corrosion resistant than 1095 and O1. Because of its high hardness, a D2 blade is more likely to chip and break than 1095.
Tool Steel - O1, Oil Hardening
Thicknesses: 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16"
Another high quality tool steel, O1 is less hard/brittle than D2 at the expense of edge retention.
Spring Steel - 1095 (annealed)
Thicknesses: 0.025", 0.05", 0.083", 1/8", 3/16"
1095 spring steel is less hard than O1 and D2, and is less likely to chip or break. A good option for general purpose / utility knives. Because it isn't as hard as other options, it doesn't retain an edge as well, but it also springs back and is is less likely to break if thrown, pried, bent, or used aggressively. Will rust quickly if not maintained.
Spring Steel - 1095 (hardened, spring temper)
Thicknesses: 0.01", 0.02", 0.042", 0.03", 0.062"
Arrives with a spring temper already applied, immediately usable for springs / latches without any heat treatment.
Unless marked as "spring temper" or "hardened," all of our specialty materials are annealed. 1095 is available in both hardened and annealed grades.