I am looking for a good place to purchase some steel to try my hand at knife making. Is 02 a good steel for a beginner. I am thinking about the stock removal method. I have picked up a couple books on the subject from Track of the Wolf. Your suggestions will be appreciated.

Swede44mag

Texas knife supply.O1 is suitable as is 5160,1095. Then get on www.bladeforums.com to ask questions and learn.

O1 is often available reasonably priced at MSC. Other good suppliers of blade steels are:

http://www.sheffieldsupply.com/

http://www.knifeandgun.com/

http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.html

As an earlier poster noted 5160 (also known as OCS or Old Chevy Spring) and 1095 are excellent starter materials too. Actually, anything from 1060 up to and including 1095 are good.

If there is a truck spring replacement business near you, you can sometimes ask for their drops (the cut ends of new 5160 spring material) and get them free. You will have to reshape them and that can be quite a job without power tools.