Damascus Spike

J. Neilson · Jan 28, 2004

I've never done a railroad spike knife before but, while the cold shop was down I got to play a bit more than work in the forge shop. I had an idea (I'm sure it's not origianl) in my head to "damascus" a spike. I annealed the spike, put it on the bandsaw and cut slots about half way down the spike. Then I put 1095 and L6 into these slots and forge welded and twisted the lot. I like it. I think the next one I do I'll add a 1084 core after welding and twisting.

D.A. Guertin · Jan 28, 2004

You have far, far too much time on your hands... Or maybe it's too much imagination!

Looks great though!

Mike Hull · Jan 28, 2004

J, I usually don't care for those RR spike knives, but yours is the best one I've seen.

mete · Jan 28, 2004

That's like turning a sows ear into a silk purse !

rlinger · Jan 28, 2004

Definately a keeper! I like it.

RL

Will52100 · Jan 28, 2004

Now that's differant! I've seen a spike knife from Bob Warner where he forged a spike out of damascus and then forged a spike knife, but so far I've never seen anything like yours.

Very cool!

happycat · Jan 28, 2004

J that rocks! I may have to try that myself. I love the contrast on the handle. Nice reflection of the contrast in the blade. Way to go.
Ed

Sean O'Hare · Jan 29, 2004

That's seriously cool! I've never seen a railroad spike knife before, that's a great idea.

Nice work.

Sean

John Andrews · Jan 29, 2004

Yeah, that looks really cool, J.! I gotta say also, you have imagination, too!

Gabe Newell · Jan 29, 2004

I'm with Mike Hull. Railroad spike knives have always left me cold. Except for this one.

J. Neilson · Jan 29, 2004

I agree, I was never crazy about spike knives myself. My father is into model trains and wanted one so I started (haven't finished yet) a plain spike kife but, then I got this idea. This is nothing nearly a fancy a Bob Warner's spikes. His are beauties. There are only about a dozen layers since it's not folded only forged and twisted but, I thought it would kinda add an extra dimension to the plain spike. Apperently, someone agreed. I was gone two hours after I posted it on my e-mailing list.

A short time back I posted asking about the steel in a spike, this was why. I think after welding and twisting the next one, I'll re-anneal and split the spike down the middle and slip in a piece of 1084 so I can be "more sure" of the cutting/edge holding ability. The blade may look cooler too.

jhiggins · Jan 29, 2004

Yeah I'm not a fan of spikers either, J., but that one looks really nice!

Robert Hankins · Jan 29, 2004

Ditto.
Great ideas and your work is on the upswing!

Sweany · Jan 29, 2004

Now that's thinking outside the lines!

peter nap · Jan 29, 2004

J, I usually don't care for those RR spike knives, but yours is the best one I've seen

I echo that sentiment J. Nice, nice work!

Funny side note. The original ugly knife that I am famous for, was made that way...sortof....That was the first one I made by cutting slots and using a torch to weld different steels in for a Birdseye look. I forged the blade into the shape I wanted after that.

Obviously, your first turned out much better than mine. The technique works well though. This is how I put very soft metal between layers (like silver) When it is ground it produces spectacular stripes.

Bob Warner · Feb 12, 2004

That really is a good looking spike knife. I like the method to get there. Mine has no spike steel in it so it really is totally different and not really a spike knife although it looks like one.

Your process is creative. Most other "damascus" spikes I've seen are really damascus blades welded onto a spike. I guess we both found a new way to do things. You did good.

J. Neilson · Feb 13, 2004

Thanks guys. I welded up a couple more of these the other day with a 1084 core, kind of a san-mai (sp?) kind thing. Just takes an extra day to anneal and cut a second slot down the center. I'll post pics when their finished.