Briangoldcoast
11th Sep 2016, 06:00 PM
Hi,
I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice on making a knife from an old railway spike.
I accompanied my dear wife for a trip on the Savannalander (west of Cairns) and picked up a couple of old spikes laying beside the lines.
There were dozens beside the tracks where old sleepers had been replaced over the years.
I have tried a file on them and they are certainly harder than black steel.
Ive made a few knives over the years, some from pattern welded damascus Ive forged myself and some from 1045 or similar/
I have always shied away from second hand steel since its not worth the effort to produce a blade that wont keep an edge.
So with that being said---has anyone any experience in forging a blade form a railway spike and is the result worth the effort?
Thanks in advance for any help or guidance
Brian
I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice on making a knife from an old railway spike.
I accompanied my dear wife for a trip on the Savannalander (west of Cairns) and picked up a couple of old spikes laying beside the lines.
There were dozens beside the tracks where old sleepers had been replaced over the years.
I have tried a file on them and they are certainly harder than black steel.
Ive made a few knives over the years, some from pattern welded damascus Ive forged myself and some from 1045 or similar/
I have always shied away from second hand steel since its not worth the effort to produce a blade that wont keep an edge.
So with that being said---has anyone any experience in forging a blade form a railway spike and is the result worth the effort?
Thanks in advance for any help or guidance
Brian