Farming Disc Blades for Blade Steel?

[fadugleman]

Found two disc in an old shed. Seem to be pretty tough so how do you think it would work for some knives? Always worth a try I guess. Thanks in advance.

 

[birdog4]

they are most likely a 10xx series, in around 1070. And yes, they will make a knife.

 

[Bo T]

It depends on how old the discs are. The newer ones could be 'boron steel' which will be very tough but low in carbon and therefore make a fairly soft blade.

 

[fadugleman]

they are most likely a 10xx series, in around 1070. And yes, they will make a knife.

So we're probably talking oil quench?

 

[sintro]

Why do they use boron steel now?

 

[fadugleman]

I estimate older than 25 years.

 

[sintro]

You can tell what type of steel usually with a spark test (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_testing) If you grind some stainless, and then some known high carbon steel you'll be able to tell once you grind the saw.

 

[Bo T]

Why do they use boron steel now?

Probably less expensive to manufacture the parts. The boron allows better wearability (more time in the ground), and higher hardness for the low carbon steels (doesn't apply to the high carbon steels).