[TheForge] Stainless steel

[Saint Phlip]

I'm looking for advice in choosing and playing with stainless steel
for a particular project.

There are a lot of leatherworkers about, and they need tools. Many, of
course, can be bought through modern suppliers, such as Tandy and
Leather Factory, but some folks want specific tools for specific
historical periods.

However, using a plain carbon steel isn't a good idea- the iron reacts
with the tannins and the water in the leather, leaving black marks
(veggie tanned leather, which is what you use for tooling, must be
dampened to leave an impression), so the modern toolmakers make the
tool, and plate it with chrome.

Making specific tools isn't difficult, insofar as shaping the handle
and the business end. What IS difficult is finding the right steel.

Characteristics needed-

Doesn't leave black marks on the leather
Tough enough to do the job for quite a number of impressions (I've
used a particular tool on a single project a couple hundred times or
more, for a repetitive pattern)
Reasonably easy to heat treat
Reasonably easy to acquire
Looks rather like a good carbon steel
Comes in reasonably useful shapes- small hex, round, or square- 1/4" or so.

Any suggestions? Or, any suggestions for other materials that might do the job?


-- 
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Has anyone seen my temper?
I seem to have misplaced it at Stalag XXXV....