Cutting hardened steel

[fishbulb]

A few months ago I found myself interested in knifemaking, but without the resources and equipment (and skill) neccisary to make one from scratch. I settled on a compromise of buying Ontario kitchen knives at a local store and extensively modifying them with new handle scales and blade finishes; as well as reshaping the blades with some diamond files. The results have been satisfactory, nothing that would be mistaken for a "real" handmade knife but several good work/beater knives for myself and some attractive gifts for others.

This time I got ambitious and decided to totally reprofile the blade on a 7" cabbage knife into a straight clip point design. This would take an exceedingly long time to do with files, so I would like to cut off the unwanted portion and finish up with the files. Problem is that I can't seem to cut it.

I tried a standard hacksaw blade which didn't do anything; and a tungsten-carbide grit rodsaw which is barely scratching the blade. I am currently considering placing the whole knife in a bench vice with the unwanted corner sticking out and attempting to break it off with a hammer. I would prefer to find a better way, so I decided to ask the experts.

Any suggestions?

 

[peter nap]

Dremel with a cutoff disk.

 

[pinpoint]

Or an angle grinder with a metal cutting blade. It would probably be cheaper than a dremel tool for both the tool and the wheels and it has a lot more power than the dremel tool. You can also grind with either.
Regards
Pinpoint

 

[LaMess]

Since I am a rank beginner I can offer the perspective of someone else without the requisite skills to make a knife from scratch - don't let that stop you. I humbly suggest you rethink your premise. Make a blade from scratch using hand tools. You can do it. Right now my blades look like crap but boy do they cut. Every time I cut something ('cept myself) I smile. I know I know but others already answered your real question.

 

[Disco Stu]

I think a pnematic cut-off tool can be had from Harbor Freight for like $30. Course you'd need an air compressor. I forget that everyone doesn't have one sometimes 'cause my father bought one many years ago.