Chisel knife?

T

Taz

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 28, 1999
Messages
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One of my buddies who works in the electrical/HVAC field wants me to make a chisel tip pry knife, similar to a Garrett Wade XHD Chisel Knife. I am thinking 3/16" steel, 3V, 5160, 80CRV2 or 8670? Are there any stainless that may be up to the task (Aeb-L or Nitro V are supposed to be pretty tough??) Anyone build something like this before?
 
Mora makes a chisel tip knife which is legendary among electricians, construction workers etc. here in Finland. Might be a good source for inspiration as it has been tested and used in the field by professionals for many years.
iu
 
The ones I have seen are 1/8" thick or so, would this type of knife benefit from being thicker? I have some 5160 blades at around 58 rockwell I have here that I can regrind to fit what my buddy is looking for, but it is 3/16" stock.
 
I think it will be easier to force a 1/8" piece of steel in something then thicker.
The one in the pic has a scani grind, so it is more a flat, hardened piece of steel with an edge. Should be strong
 
When I did electronics we all had a little "Nerd Holster" on out belt. It had a pair of wiring shears (short stout scissors) and a simple straight gray linoleum handled wiring knife/tool. The blade was about 5/8" wide, about .10" thick, about 3" long, and shaped like the blade part of the Mora image. It was screwdriver, knife, chisel, label scraper, stuck cabinet panel remover, etc.. I think I still have my set out in the shop. We also used a smaller knife for stripping wires and opening cable sheaths with a straight 2" blade that was Wharncliffe shaped. It was about .060" thick and 1/2" wide. Same plain gray linoleum handle. That knife was in our pocket protector with all the pens and markers.
 
Thanks for the info! I was thinking it was something that would benefit from being thicker, but I guess I was wrong! Glad I asked about it!
 
Talked to my buddy more today; he wants something thick and tough that won't flex, so I am back to a thicker blade again. So I am back to the original question, 3/16", would that be stiff enough and durable enough for hard use in the carbon steels mentioned? Would any of them be more suited than one of the others?
 
How much force does it need to withstand?
I'd be surprised if he can apply so much force that he can brake a hardened flat piece of 1/8" steel.

Ask him shat he wants to do wit his chisel knife
 
He is using it for heavier stuff than normal electrical work tasks, so he wants it beefier without flexing, so I will order up some 3/16 80CRV2. Also doing a couple damascus chefs knives for him and his wife.
 
80crv is probably a good choice. I'd leave it toward the higher end of hardness (Which you are probably already planning on doing). It should be fine made of any type of steel if your friend is willing to figure out how (what geometry) it likes to be sharpened.
 
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