cold steel natchez bowie handle mod

ONEBIGBOWIE

ONEBIGBOWIE

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Sep 9, 2015
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136
could i weld a piece of a pipe onto the blade of the natchez bowie to make it stronger for chopping wood or would it break or ruin the steel
 
Not sure what you are trying to do. A drawing or picture may help. Regardless, you will likely ruin the heat treat of the blade attempting this. A hatchet would likely bee a wiser investment.
 
You could put the blade on the ground and beat the **** out of it with the pipe and then pitch it in the trash. Not saying it's a bad blade at all I just hate cold steel as of late. In fact I think most custom knife makers have strong feelings about them as a companey that's not to kind. But as to your original question, my advise is to keep the welder away from anything that is blade steel. The only time blade steel is welded is when making Damascus and it's done in a forge. The problem with welding steel that can be heat treated is the weld will most likely crack as it cools. This is because the weld mixes with the high carbon steel and it cools so fast that it heat treats its self but there is so much stress from shrinking that the weld can't take it and cracks. If it does not crack then there is s chance it will when any load or force is applied to it. Generally if you have to weld to a high carbon steel then you pre heat the steel to a temp that alows the weld to cool slowly and evenly. This pre heating is usaly hotter then you would want to heat a hardened blade to because it would most likely ruin the heat treat or at least drop the hardness of the steel. A much better option is low temp silver solder in the 400° range which is what I use for attaching guards to blades.
 
JTknives said:
You could put the blade on the ground and beat the **** out of it with the pipe and then pitch it in the trash. Not saying it's a bad blade at all I just hate cold steel as of late. In fact I think most custom knife makers have strong feelings about them as a companey that's not to kind. But as to your original question, my advise is to keep the welder away from anything that is blade steel. The only time blade steel is welded is when making Damascus and it's done in a forge. The problem with welding steel that can be heat treated is the weld will most likely crack as it cools. This is because the weld mixes with the high carbon steel and it cools so fast that it heat treats its self but there is so much stress from shrinking that the weld can't take it and cracks. If it does not crack then there is s chance it will when any load or force is applied to it. Generally if you have to weld to a high carbon steel then you pre heat the steel to a temp that alows the weld to cool slowly and evenly. This pre heating is usaly hotter then you would want to heat a hardened blade to because it would most likely ruin the heat treat or at least drop the hardness of the steel. A much better option is low temp silver solder in the 400° range which is what I use for attaching guards to blades.
Click to expand...

Here is picture of tang and I don t see problem to extend and weld piece of steel .............brazing would be best way...........

2eov04j.jpg


Or something like this...........

2whnmlg.jpg
 
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You could do that and then change your screen name to ZeroBigBowie. :D
 
Natlek said:
Here is picture of tang and I don t see problem to extend and weld piece of steel .............brazing would be best way...........

2eov04j.jpg


Or something like this...........

2whnmlg.jpg
Click to expand...
The second picture would work, it's called a box handle. Shape a piece of metal into the shape of the handle you want, then shape it to fit your tang. Drill one or more holes in your tang for pins, and do the same with the box handle. Then solder or use JB Weld to re-enforce the two pices, apply your wood slabs and pin. Tighten it up until the glue takes, and you have a new handle. But welding? Nope, I wouldn't do it. Too hot and it will ruin your blade.
 
David Stifle said:
The second picture would work, it's called a box handle. Shape a piece of metal into the shape of the handle you want, then shape it to fit your tang. Drill one or more holes in your tang for pins, and do the same with the box handle. Then solder or use JB Weld to re-enforce the two pices, apply your wood slabs and pin. Tighten it up until the glue takes, and you have a new handle. But welding? Nope, I wouldn't do it. Too hot and it will ruin your blade.
Click to expand...

I think it's far enough away from the blade to ruin the temper and that can be weld . He can protect the rest of tang from temperature if it is necessary ? And there is massive guard that will take some of temperature........
 
Natlek said:
I think it's far enough away from the blade to ruin the temper and that can be weld . He can protect the rest of tang from temperature if it is necessary ? And there is massive guard that will take some of temperature........
Click to expand...
If you are determined to weld it, put the blade upright in a container of cold water up to the guard. That may prevent the heat from reaching the blade. Good luck!
 
Tangs are often welded on blade-usually before heat treatment.
Simply put the blade in a large vise and then weld or braze. It won't hurt the heat treatment that way.
 
Since I'm car mechanic .......... When I weld something specific on the body of the car and I want to protect place around from temperature / prevents warping/ I use heat stop paste and it is very effective.............. I do not know if anyone from knifemaker tried it?
Something like this .................. ?

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...es/heat-stop-heat-control-paste-prod1121.aspx
http://muggyweld.com/heat-dissipation

[video=youtube;c910IHR3ZZk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c910IHR3ZZk[/video]
 
the reason i want to do this is because i like the design and weight of the natchez bowie, and i think if it had a stronger handle/tang it might make a good chopper
 
I have welded directly on a ricasso before and not affected the temper of a blade. File still wouldnt cut it at least. If you wrap with a wet rag or something I dont think it would be a problem that many inches away. I wouldnt weld for very long. Very short welds, maybe even just deep spot welds and make sure things are cool. If it gets any hotter than you can touch with your finger youre in trouble.

As most are saying, its a risk. No one can tell you exactly what will happen. Is it a great idea? Probably not. I would look into other ways to reinforce if the knife means anything to you. Personally I would just get something suited to the job and toss that novelty knife on the shelf.
 
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