circular saw blade?

[hurley0816]

is there a way i can find out what kind of steel my saw blades are made of? if not, does anyone know what is the most common steel used for circular saws? if it helps any the brand is tool shop and it is for ripping and crosscutting. thanks

 

[ronmageddon]

I'm NOT a knifemaker, but I am a mechanic who's dealt with tons of steel. I believe that most saw blades (high speed) are made of L7. If it's a cheap blade, it could be some weird chinese equivalent, but I'll let the experienced bladesmiths on this forum tell you which one.

 

[loneronin]

I'd bet it is L6

 

[birdog4]

I'll bet it isn't.

 

[Tinbasher]

Not sure on what steel they are, some harden some don't, the best type I have found are Irwin, the diamond saw blades I have tried do not harden.
Richard

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I would bet that few if any circular saw blades less than 24" diameter are L6. If it is a carbide toothed blade, it is a guarantee that it isn't. Most saw blades made in the past 30 years have hardened teeth or carbide tips, and the body is a tough, but not hard, steel. Most will not make a good knife, some will get a bit hard, but are inferior to simple steels (like 1084), and some won't make a knife at all.

The only way to find out what you have is :
1) Get a piece analyzed.
2) Contact the manufacturer and see if they can provide the steel type and analysis.

Doing all the shop tests will only tell you if it will harden somewhat. It won't tell you what it is, or how to do the HT.
I understand the desire to recycle neat old things into new knives, but saving a few dollars by using scrap steel is bad economics.

Stacy