Bandsaw blade steel

[Morgan]

We have a huge bandsaw at work that broke a blade yesterday, I brought home 12 pieces of the blade that are 24-26” long. The blade is 1 1/2” wide from gullet to spine and just a hair over 1/16” thick. All I know of the steel is that it will rust. I’m going to see if I can harden it this weekend, if so I’ll have a lot of steel for short blade or fillet knives. If not, I’ll have a lifetime supply of trade point steel. Anyone have any experience with them?

[Pat B]

You may need to soften them first so you can shape what you want then harden them back after you cut out what you want. Those band saw blades make good knives, trade points and bow scrapers.

[KHalverson]

Most likely 15n20 steel
U will have to anneal before drilling any pin holes or use carbide. Or titex drills.
Should make great blades .

[Morgan]

Thanks folks. I don’t know why making some scrapers didn’t occur to me, What is the desired hardness of a card scraper?

[Pat B]

Same as a knife I guess.

[osage outlaw]

I have made a bunch of scrapers out of bandsaw blades.  I didn't mess with the hardness.  I ground them to shape and used a file and burnishing rod.  I kept them from getting too hot while grinding.  They hold an edge for a long time.  I'll go a year or two before having to redo the burr.  I've made a couple of knives the same way.  I just keep dipping it in water to keep the temperature from messing up the hardness.

[Morgan]

I have made a bunch of scrapers out of bandsaw blades.  I didn't mess with the hardness.  I ground them to shape and used a file and burnishing rod.  I kept them from getting too hot while grinding.  They hold an edge for a long time.  I'll go a year or two before having to redo the burr.  I've made a couple of knives the same way.  I just keep dipping it in water to keep the temperature from messing up the hardness.

Sounds great.

[mullet]

I have a great, little knife from a bandsaw blade Shannon Walker made for me a few years ago. I carry it a lot.

[Morgan]

I have a great, little knife from a bandsaw blade Shannon Walker made for me a few years ago. I carry it a lot.

I’m pretty excited to see how this steel turns out, really hoping that it is a steel that I can harden and temper by simple mean. The manufacturer website says the steel is a carbon, chrome, tool, nickel, stainless alloy. Probably be some light patterning with an acid dip. I prefer thin blade knives for skinning and cutting meat, my favorite skinning knife for years was an old carbon steel kitchen knife that the blade was broke in half and I re-profiled with a file.  It was about as thick as this steel is.

[Badger]

I have made a bunch of scrapers out of bandsaw blades.  I didn't mess with the hardness.  I ground them to shape and used a file and burnishing rod.  I kept them from getting too hot while grinding.  They hold an edge for a long time.  I'll go a year or two before having to redo the burr.  I've made a couple of knives the same way.  I just keep dipping it in water to keep the temperature from messing up the hardness.

   I am going to send you a box of scrapers to sharpen for me. I usually have to resharpen a couple of times on each bow.

[osage outlaw]

I have made a bunch of scrapers out of bandsaw blades.  I didn't mess with the hardness.  I ground them to shape and used a file and burnishing rod.  I kept them from getting too hot while grinding.  They hold an edge for a long time.  I'll go a year or two before having to redo the burr.  I've made a couple of knives the same way.  I just keep dipping it in water to keep the temperature from messing up the hardness.

   I am going to send you a box of scrapers to sharpen for me. I usually have to resharpen a couple of times on each bow.

The quality of the steel makes the difference.  I think I have an extra scraper.  I can send it to you.

[Stalkingfox]

I wonder if you could make a curve knife from one, say for Kupska cups??

[jim l.]

Bandsaw blade steel is pretty awsome stuff. It does need annealing but will usually accept a differential heat treat quite well (hamon included).

Be careful with the heat treat, though. It's easy to forget that there isn't a lot of steel there and you can temper the hardness right out.

They make for excellent fleshing and fillet knives.

[Stoner]

Oh my, I had a saw mill down the road from me in MI. They would throw the old blades out on trash day. One day I picked one up and took an angle grinder to score and break into strips. Gave boat loads away to people for trade points. Still only have a couple pieces left. I will hoard/covet them now.  It never occurred to me about scrapers and fillet knives.   I feel like the old commercial "wow I could have had a V8" John

[burchett.donald]

  Run your drill bit slow and use turpentine for cutting fluid...It really works...Trick from the 1940's
                                                                                                                                                 Don