Hey guys i have a lot of rr spikes and i was wondering if they would make a good knife. And if they do make a good knife how would i go about making it. I have heard a lot of different ideas, but what is actually a good way.
RR spike "knives" are good as a novelty item, but not as a working knife.
I have heard/read all the stories about how the ones with "HC" on them are "high carbon", but that is only when compared to common RR spikes. Typical RR spikes are the equivalent of 1020-1030 steel. Those marked with "HC" are the equivalent of 1040 steel. Those marked with "HC" will SLIGHTLY harden if quenched in something such as "super quench", but even then, the Rc as quenched is in the Rc48-50 range.... not enough hardness to hold up in a thin edge cross section without "buckling". The "HC" RR spikes were developed to hold tracks in place where stress of a train passing was greater....such as tight turns, etc. were common RR spikes would often shear under the stress.
I've made a ton of "spike knives" as letter openers/novelty items, but I have never marked any of them with my name....just in case somebody got a hold of one and thought it was actually a knife. The majority I've made were given away.
When I produced them, I would do everything from a simple twist, to a "pineapple" twist, or a "cubed twist" on the end with the head, and then forge a blade on the pointed end. Most of the time I would heat color the finished product because folks thought it looked "cool". <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Ed Caffrey, ABS MS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
www.CaffreyKnives.net
Thanks for the advice. I might just make one for fun. Its nice to know know that a rr spike wont actually make a good knife.
Jacob, don't overlook the other potential uses for RR spikes. They are good steel that forgewelds nicely for other projects and will accept heat coloring or blueing for guards.
Chris
|quoted:
Jacob, don't overlook the other potential uses for RR spikes. They are good steel that forgewelds nicely for other projects and will accept heat coloring or blueing for guards.
Chris
I was just going to suggest this option =)
While reading this I had a thought about using RR spikes for guards.... might go out and try it..
Thank you for getting my fired up!
Matthew
