Steel for a knife

[treequip]

My home made knife was made out of an old file, fired it to anneal the temper to make it easier to work with, then cut and ground it into shape with a good long teng, then had a blacksmith re-temper it in his forge but you can do this in a decent oven, made a handle out of antler which stinks when your cutting it, and fitted the blade using pine sap glue which is basically sap mixed with carbon. Great knife that really holds its edge.

 

Some confusion surely? Annealing and tempering are different things, annealing improves/restores ductility where as tempering is used to alter the characteristics of hardened materials.

[Stubby]

Some confusion surely? Annealing and tempering are different things, annealing improves/restores ductility where as tempering is used to alter the characteristics of hardened materials.

 

Thsats how I remember it . ( Time served toolmaker ) .

[treequip]

Thsats how I remember it . ( Time served toolmaker ) .

 

Me too, then I saw the light

[Stubby]

Me too, then I saw the light

 

Yea , What a light !

[flatyre]

apologies for the terminology, not a blacksmith so it may be the other way round but basically the file was heated to make it softer and easier to work, then re hardened, point is files made a great blade as it's the correct type of steel. penty of info on the web for making bushcraft knives.

[treequip]

apologies for the terminology, not a blacksmith so it may be the other way round but basically the file was heated to make it softer and easier to work, then re hardened, point is files made a great blade as it's the correct type of steel. penty of info on the web for making bushcraft knives.

 

But you were preaching it like the gospel, same as you are preaching the files as material issue. Simple fact is that its not the correct material for a knife but it is for a file. In a nutshell there is too much carbon in files which makes them brittle and less than ideal as knife material.

 

The reason there is a lot on the web about making knives from files is that they are made of something better than a plain mild steel, they are cheap, plenty full and are roughly the right dimensions from the get go.

[flatyre]

But you were preaching it like the gospel, same as you are preaching the files as material issue. Simple fact is that its not the correct material for a knife but it is for a file. In a nutshell there is too much carbon in files which makes them brittle and less than ideal as knife material.

 

The reason there is a lot on the web about making knives from files is that they are made of something better than a plain mild steel, they are cheap, plenty full and are roughly the right dimensions from the get go.

 

sorry whats your problem? I wasn't preaching anything like gospel, and I have found my file knife to be a great tool that has performed perfectly for what it is. I think you'll find most knives out there are not made out of the exact right grade of steel, as most things made today aren't made out of the exact right materials, it does what I want it to do and I have the enjoyment of knowing I made it myself. Save the carbon lecture for someone who makes knives for a living!

[GreenGui]

apologies for the terminology, not a blacksmith so it may be the other way round but basically the file was heated to make it softer and easier to work, then re hardened, point is files made a great blade as it's the correct type of steel. penty of info on the web for making bushcraft knives.

 

I understood you. I am not a tool maker, just a bloke who makes them from old mower blades AND files using a coal fired forge. Your description made sense to me but then I was not looking to take cheap shots regarding how you described the process. Leave em with their petit minded, ignorant point scoring.

[flatyre]

much appreciated Greengui, some members on here are more interested in nit picking other peoples posts and showing off their superior knowledge in all things than actually helping out their fellow members. Sad they have nothing better to do, but that's internet trolls for you!

[Rich Rule]

I have never made a knife myself, something I would love to have a go at. I always have a look around the blades at game fairs etc, just never had the time to make a knife up.

 

I could be wrong but I have a vague memory of someone telling me that truck leaf springs make good blanks???