Chemical composition of older axe alloys test. Results

[crbnSteeladdict]

We were talking about testing chemical composition of older axes at this forum for ages; Finally, friend of a friend was kind enough to test coupe axes for us.
I sent him 2 axes Plumb Boy Scout Voyageur Axe (made between 1933-38) and Raised Bit Kelly (sold under Chip Slinger, Silver Eagle and some other names)
Couple surprises:
Plumb's alloy contained Copper.
Kelly's overlaid bit contained whopping 2 percent of Carbon

Edit I have just realized there is a star in front of 2.0. I will need to find out what that means, Possibly it is a code for any alloy that has more than 1 percent of carbon. ( when i add all elements in that alloy I am left with 1.28 percent that could possibly be taken by Carbon) Those devices cannot read Carbon content: they use some kind of algorithm to calculate it.
Results:

Plumb Voyageur Carbon 0.6 Chromium 0.15 Copper 0.28


Kelly Low Carbon Body Carbon 0.2 Manganese 0.49


Kelly Overlaid Bit Carbon above 1%??? Chromium 0.16 Manganese 0.24 Nickel

 

[flexo]

could you please explain the results for lay people?

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Plumb Voyageur Carbon 0.60 Chromium 0.15 Copper 0.28
Kelly Low Carbon Body Carbon 0.20 Manganese 0.49
Kelly Overlaid Bit Carbon above 1%??? Chromium 0.16 Manganese 0.24 Nickel 0.20

Vs currently used axe steels
1060 Steel

Element	Percentage
Iron	98.35–98.85
Manganese	0.60–0.90
Carbon	0.55–0.66
Copper	>0.50
Silicon	0.04–0.35
Sulphur	<0.05
Phosphorus	<0.04

Vs
5160 Steel

• Fe Balance
• Mn 0.75-1%
• Cr 0.7-0.9%
• C 0.56-0.64%
• P .035%
• Si ≤ 0.15-0.3%
• S ≤ 0.04%
• 
  
• 

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2023/03/22/how-to-heat-treat-nickel-knife-steels-15n20-8670-l6/

 

[Larrin]

The method used wasn’t accurate for carbon because it is a very light element. Copper and nickel was present because they are common when steel is produced from recycled steel. The chromium is probably also for that reason though maybe you can’t rule out a very small addition. In summary, these are basic carbon steels. Probably medium carbon, possibly as high carbon as 1095.

 

[Ernie1980]

Thank you for sharing- I enjoy seeing the make up of older steel used in knives and tolls

 

[flexo]

that's much clearer, thank you! at plumb they had leftover copper from what I see!