Does a railroad spike need annealing?

J

johnnyKnives

Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
144
Do I need to soften the metal of a railroad spike or should I just heat it up and start hitting it on the anvil? Thank you.
 
When you heat it up to forging temps it destroys any previous heat treat and softens the steel.
 
65535 said:
When you heat it up to forging temps it destroys any previous heat treat and softens the steel.
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Do I have to do it to the demagnetism stage for a RR spike knife? I know it's not good steel but trying to practice for the real thing.
 
I'm not the person to ask about HT on that, but keep the steel hot when forging, and don't overheat, when it starts raining sparks you're overheating the steel.
 
johnnyKnives said:
Do I need to soften the metal of a railroad spike or should I just heat it up and start hitting it on the anvil? Thank you.
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Hey man - ask atakach on this forum. He has done some work with spikes. I've seen his work and it looks great.
 
as you said there not a good steel for a knife, but make great novelties, as well as "knife'like" letter openers.

as for how to work them, im sure there are varying oppinions, but just heat them to a nice orange yellow heat and pound away, i wouldnt get to technicle with it, just enjoy the creativity of what your making. and if anything, concentrate more on hammer control, and keeping things symetrical, and uniform. so that when you go to forge whatever it is your practicing for , you'll be much further ahead.
 
atakach said:
as you said there not a good steel for a knife, but make great novelties, as well as "knife'like" letter openers.

as for how to work them, im sure there are varying oppinions, but just heat them to a nice orange yellow heat and pound away, i wouldnt get to technicle with it, just enjoy the creativity of what your making. and if anything, concentrate more on hammer control, and keeping things symetrical, and uniform. so that when you go to forge whatever it is your practicing for , you'll be much further ahead.
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Thanks. How did you get the RR Spike knife so shiny? It is right before the 1095 knife on your site.
 
patience and more patience, just keep going over it until you think you've removed all scratches, then go back and start all over again......just keeep polishing
 
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