Band saw blade steel

[D.Douglas]

Hi, As somewhat of a newbie still i am wanting to make a few knives out of some bansaw blade chunks that i have. I assume they are L6 from everything i have read. My question here is how should i go about this? I was wondering if i should aneal them for drilling and profile then temper again or just leave them with the original temper and get a carbide bit for drilling holes. These should be good practice for peening and fit and finish. Thanks Doug

 

[murphda2]

Sorry I can't help you out with information, but I know of several old guys back home that make some pretty mean fillet knives out of them. There's a fair size saw mill back home that uses the blades that are about 2 ft wide and 1/16" thick (I think) by I have no clue. One of these days I'm going to get back home and hit up the owner of the mill for a bunch of his old blade pieces. He gave me a couple of pieces years ago and I have no clue whatever happened to them.

 

[69*camaro]

I work with bandsaw steel a lot. They will be very difficult to grind if you do not anneal them first.

 

[BossDog]

Anneal them, do your stuff and then heat treat them.

 

[Keith Willis]

I do know you will have to aneal it before working with it,it is hard.I am not sure what the steal is.I have 70 feet that I hope to make knives with.

God bless,Keith

 

[Raymond Richard]

Several years ago I got several steel cutting bandsaw blades from the largest steel supplier in Portland. They were 0-2. I used them in damascus.

 

[stabber]

Kieth, Is that material thick enough to make a knife or are you combining it with other steel to make damascus?

 

[D.Douglas]

Thanks guys. I thought that i would have to anneal them first but wanted some opinions. Doug

 

[Keith Willis]

Stabber,it's .09 thick.I have made small skinners and I am sure it would be good for a fillet knife.

God bless,Keith