Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: mcginnis6010 on February 06, 2014, 06:56:37 pm
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Found some edger blades at the clearance section at home depot so i figured id try to make some knives out of it. Problem is not sure of the carbon content. Anyone ever used them?
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The ones I have used are a medium carbon steel. Moderately hard. It varies quite a bit between brands. the Craftsman blades are a medium-high carbon steel, roughly the same steel as an axe blade or lawnmower blade.
It isn't tempered very hard. It is actually quite soft.
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made to bend..before it breaks.
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So probably not a good enough steel for knives huh? I usually order high carbon steel blanks online. I been trying to find a cheaper supply though. I want to get into more forging my knives rather than using purely stock removal however all i have for an anvil is a 25lb cast iron anvil my mother- ib- law bought for me for christmas. I know its not optimal but it does give me something to beat on.
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They would be good to practice on but wont make a very good blade. Do a search for " The New Jersey steel baron" and get you some 1084 hi carbon steel. It is reasonably priced and makes an excellent blade. Aldo is a super good guy to deal with.
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Not real sure about new small cheap blades but as a saw filer/grinderman who specialized in tooling for the timber industries for 18 years they are high speed steel. High carbon yes, bend before break no way not even close. Same steel as drill bits, Planer tooling for mild steel, Milling machine tooling for mild steel and etc. Usually sitting in some where around 80 + Rockwell hardness if memory serves me correct quite a lot harder and more brittle than a knife or broadhead such as you are talking. ;)
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Well i guess ill just give it a shot and see what happens.
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That's the spirit! Nothing ventured nothing gained. ;)
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The content will probably vary from one company to the next, just like saw blades will. Al the edger blades I have ever used were so hard I hard to lower the temper cut to cut them with a dremel tool, and anneal the handles a couple of times just to bore the pin holes. It is just a guess but I think the blades I get are 5160. I have one knife that I skinned a couple of deer and a couple of coyotes with and it will still shave your arm.
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I thought I remember a build along someone did using edger blades for knife making. Anyone else remember that thread? Russ
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Yep. Its still thete. David Knight pisted it.
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Here's the two I found in a search on Build-alongs. Look pretty cool. Good luck and let's see some pics when your done...or before. dp
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,11559.0.html
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,36255.msg476952.html#msg476952
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search the how to section.David Knight made some great knives from them.you get to knives from one blade.
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thanks for the advice and info everyone ill get to it once i have a nice day i been busy past couple of days cutting and splitting more firewood since we've burned through more firewood than what we usually do with theses cold snaps we have had here. Ill try to post some pics of my progress if i remember to.
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"we've burned through more firewood than what we usually do"
No doubt Brother. We've burned through close to two years of wood already and it's just the beginning of February.
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"we've burned through more firewood than what we usually do"
No doubt Brother. We've burned through close to two years of wood already and it's just the beginning of February.
Well its a good thing i have my secret cache of some dead and felled hardwood trees mostly hickory, oak, and black locust.
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"we've burned through more firewood than what we usually do"
No doubt Brother. We've burned through close to two years of wood already and it's just the beginning of February.
Well its a good thing i have my secret cache of some dead and felled hardwood trees mostly hickory, oak, and black locust.
DON"T BURN THE STAVES!!
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"we've burned through more firewood than what we usually do"
No doubt Brother. We've burned through close to two years of wood already and it's just the beginning of February.
Well its a good thing i have my secret cache of some dead and felled hardwood trees mostly hickory, oak, and black locust.
DON"T BURN THE STAVES!!
Lol dont worry most of it is so twisted or misshapen its completely unusable however i did manage to find some straight sections that are currently setting in my shed :)
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I've got an edger-blade knife that David Knight gave me, and it's a good knife. Not a thing wrong with the steel.