can I use hacksaw blade steel for a knife?

[Callum.D]

Hi,
I am reasonably new to knife making and have a few knives already out of leaf springs, rasps and the such. Over time I have gathered a wee collection of dulled hacksaw blades and I was considering cutting them up and smacking them together to see if I could make a knife out of them. What I was wondering was whether anybody knew the type of steels used in hacksaw blades and/or whether I would be able to harden them them in my coal forge.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

A lot of good hacksaw blades have a spring steel back with welded on HSS teeth and won't make a good knife.

Some good power hacksaw blades are solid HSS and will make a good knife, but can't be worked in a forge.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Short answer - NO.

 

[Callum.D]

Thought that might be the case, thanks for the answers any way.