RMP Knife Blade Steel - 1095 High Carbon Annealed Steel, Knife Making Billet, 1.5 Inch x 12 Inch x 0.187 Inch

Don't normally write reviews but I thought I'd give anyone else a 'heads up'. I'm an long time woodworker that thought I'd really like to make a knife. Did my research and found 1095 to be a good starter steel. Purchased this and it arrived quickly and in great condition. I was very excited up until the point that I attempted to start my stock removal. I can't dent this stuff with anything. Blades, bits, files, and p36 ceramic belt all were rendered useless to this diamond like material. I was understanding that 'annealed' meant I would be able to work with it. I will continue to research this and understand that 'I' may be the problem, but this stuff is hard.UPDATE: So... I'm revising my review because as I mentioned initially there was a possibility that 'I' may be the problem. Turns out, I was the problem. I have a lot of woodworking tools, and while I switched bits, and blades over to the 'metal' versions, they still were not adequate to do the job. After more research, I did my stock removal with an angle grinder and was able to remove stock, and finish profiling with the belt sander and files. It's actually been a pleasure to work with and I could not be happier with this purchase for my first knife. I will definitely purchase from this supplier in the future.

I was able to cut it by using Lenox 18tpi bimetal hacksaw blade but I did start the cut with Dremel cut off wheel to go over first 1/8" in case it was hardened by factory cutting.My Diablo 1x30 belts were quickly worn out by this steel when grinding edges so not sure if properly annealed or not. I did not see the same issue with some other 1095 steel I used before but that one was 1/8" thick.Sparks from Dremel looked like high carbon steel.Steel was flat and no rust, nicely packed.I like it so far.

See pictures.I would recommend this steel to the person who is just getting into knife making. This is my third knife made. The steel was easily worked with a angle grinder, bench grinder, and 1'' belt sander. The files bit into the steel easily enough.The actual knife is thick and solid. I made a small forge and heated the steel to critical temp then quenched in oil.Hope the edge holds well. As of now it can shave hair.Overall it was a joy making.

I hope I can clear up some of the confusion there seems to be whether this is annealed or not.I initially cut out my knife shape without a grinder without issue. I wanted a full 1.5" width bush-craft/chopper build.However when I went to bevel the blade with a file it wouldn't bite the factory "CUT" edge that I had left. However in the tip area the file had no issue biting and removing material with ease. So this steel is "annealed" HOWEVER I'm assuming these blanks are probably plasma cut and quenched for speeding up the process leaving an extremely hardened 1/8" area around each edge. But as long as you plan on removing this portion there are no issues with this steel. I would have given 5 stars but this oversight about their steel caused a delay and I had to change my initial design. I will remember not to "plan" on using the outer 1/8" in future builds and move on.I hope this helps clear up the controversy and confusion in the reviews.

Really nice looking steel, will definitely buy again!After setting everything up and proceeding to work with this, I noticed the steel is bent. And I know exactly why. They pinch cut these pieces instead of using a bandsaw.Now I cannot use this as I was under the impression I would not have to use a forge to straiten it.So this piece of metal is not of use to me.

This is good quality steel. It's a bit hard though. Took forever to get through it with cobalt drill bits (before heat treat). Easy to heat treat. Will definitely purchase again.

Can't wait to start working on it, but its already bent. I put it on a flat surface and it teeters.

Great piece of steel. Did not find any imperfections other than the description states that it is annealed which I found to not be true. I didn’t mind though since I have a gas forge I was able to bring it down a grade or 2. I used this billet to make my very first knife and it’s turning out way better than I had imagined. Will most likely buy again.