Useable Steels???

stabber

stabber

Knife Dealer Extraordinaire
Hi Gang, I was wondering what Old Tools can be used for making a knife?My buddy knows this old guy(Cool Dude!) that gave us a bucket of Files. I know we can forge them and make a descent knife. Aldo once told me Old Crowbars are OK.
But For Example- Old Chisels?
Old 10" carbide tipped saw blades?
Hand saws?
What old tools would be good enough Steel to make a knife? Thanks2thumbs

Yes! I'm just lookin for some FREE Steel!! If it's for free, It's for me!!:D
 
stabber said:
Yes! I'm just lookin for some FREE Steel!! If it's for free, It's for me!!:D
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Hey someone once paid a pretty penny for this "Free Steel" you seek....lol You will just be immortalizing it2thumbs

Consider this my TAG, I like free steel too....:D

Chris
 
I can't argue against the price point when it's free but you need to be careful with mystery metal. More than one person has spent time forging out an old file to find out that it was one of those cheap case hardened tools that didn't have enough carbon in it to hold an edge. For any unknown steel test it with a grinding wheel. It should produce heavy short sparks if it has enough carbon. It's a good idea to compare it to a known steel of adiquate carbon content. Another test is to heat it to non-magnetic and quench in water. Then strike it with a hammer; it should break brittly. Be aware that you are probably going to have to experiment a bit with the heat treating.

Doug Lester
 
I , on occassion, put handsaw steel into my damascus.
 
Thanks for the Info guys!!
The Junkyard Steels info was very cool. The Testing Doug said to do was in there2thumbs
I'm thinking the same thing Stew. My buddy got a bucket full!!
I still think it may be worth a try! If not, We got Aldo "The Steel Baron";)
 
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A good rule of thumb is, if it was used to cut stuff, it will make a knife. Perhaps not a great knife, but it should be at least workable. Name brand files will probably be good.

The steel in the carbide tipped saw blade did not cut stuff. Nor does a pry bar. 4140 4340 4150 will all get hard enough to have a brittle break and skate a file - but you probably don't want to make a knife out of them.

Other steels such as used in some springs and ball bearings are also good candidates, but not always.

Lawn mower blades cut stuff - but are primarily intended to be tough, so are probably not a good choice. Some are probably just case hardened.

Old planer blades, power hacksaw blades and drill bits are frequently very good steel, but are complex alloys that don't lend themselves to home shop HT.

Outstanding steel such as 1084 is inexpensive and so easy to obtain I can't fathom being so broke that cost would be much of a concern.
 
Thanks Nathan. Broke may be part of the Problem but CHEAP probably describes it better!!:D
 
Nathan The Machinist said:
The steel in the carbide tipped saw blade did not cut stuff. Nor does a pry bar. 4140 4340 4150 will all get hard enough to have a brittle break and skate a file - but you probably don't want to make a knife out of them.
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to be fair, that's not a perfect way to work put if it'll work. I have a couple of different tipped saw blades that are great steel.
 
I have used alot of Nicholson files and treated them like 1095, Ive also used Black Diamond files, someone told me they are made by Nicholson. Ive also got a big chunk of RR track that is supposed to be 1084, When I get time Im going to have some of it tested.

Sean
 
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