First knife ever, handle suggestion?

gilgsn · Oct 30, 2009

Hello,

I just forged my first knife out of a railroad spike. The spike is marked HC, so I am assuming around .3% carbon.. I have not tempered it. It still needs a lot of work, but I am not quite sure about what to do with the handle. I am thinking that some metal treatment or powder coating might be best.. Any suggestion? Thanks a lot!

Gil.

Brett Mathews · Oct 30, 2009

I have seen some spike knives that where hot blued that looked great not real durable but easy to fix.

hodgescl · Oct 30, 2009

some sort of duracoat or epoxy paint might do the trick

SBuzek · Oct 30, 2009

Get a quart of cheap motor oil,stick the handle in the forge and get hot just till it start to show a little color red,dip it in the oil and pull it out and let it smoke and cool some,wire brushlightly.
Should leave a nice black looking coating on the handle.
Stan

gilgsn · Nov 1, 2009

Thanks, I am thinking now of bluing or parkerizing.. Brownells has bluing salts, but 40Lbs for about $150, too much for me. I do have parkerizing solution though. Not sure bout a dull grey finish.. Ah, decisions...

Gil.

White Rabbit · Nov 1, 2009

Someone recently posted something about spray on truck bed liner, which might be cool.

clw3 · Nov 2, 2009

I once watched a blacksmith put a nice finish on a piece of hot iron with a brass brush. It was a really neat blend of the dark iron material and the brass seemed to fill the pores making a nice look.

galadduin · Nov 2, 2009

Cover with linseed oil and place the handle in a fire until the oil stops smoking, after cooled burnish it. This will give you a nice black finish...
Emre
edit: sorry Stan, I didn't notice this is advised before...

gilgsn · Nov 3, 2009

Thanks everyone