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c/blacksmithsthe_samthe_sam1mo agoProlific Poster

My shop buddy scoffs when I grab mild steel for knife practice

Most smiths in my area swear by high carbon steel for any blade making. I think that sets new people up for failure with tricky heat control. Using mild steel lets you hammer out shapes and practice grinds without fear of ruining pricey metal. It builds solid skills before you move on to the good stuff.
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2 Comments
keithp61
keithp611mo ago
Why do we rush beginners to use the good stuff before they learn basics?
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baker.willow
baker.willow1mo agoMost Upvoted
Totally feel this. I bought a full-frame camera before I could tell you what aperture did. Keithp61 nails it. We see shiny reviews and think the gear will do the work for us. Ended up with a fancy paperweight until I learned the basics on an old point-and-shoot. Now I tell newbies to start cheap and learn what they actually need.
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