Back when I started out forging knives, I would try to cut cost anywhere I could and frankly was not making enough to justify the freight on six or ten foot sections of flat stock. So for those who have an interest in grinding or forging their own blade;
Nicholson and Simmonds (Black Diamond) files - W1 tool steel; very good but very tempermental (prone to warpage durring the quench so start out with thick and short blades to minimize.) Quenching in oil will minimize but give incomplete transformation (which will actually be a good thing).
Harrow tines ; 1084 steel; one of the best, quench in water.
lawnmower blades; L6 tool steel - great for large blades, very shock resistant, quench in oil.
Rear leaf springs from Ford trucks - 5160 alloy steel - my favorite, one of the best, oil quench.
Have fun.