First questions here

L

longbow

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Jan 9, 1999
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Ok first post on this forum I believe. Here it is, concerning L6 saw mill steel. Purchased this knife off ebay and it is a pretty darn nice. It is L6 sawmill blade steel at about 3/16" thick. Fella ground it out, put a nice stag handle on it and brass guard. Guard is a bit loose but it won't come off no way. Knife edge seems a bit soft to me. I mean it sharpens easier than about any knife I have ever owned. Doesn't show wear at all when sharpening but takes about as wicked of an edge as I have ever seen. He doesn't heat treat the blades as he says he keeps them cool enough when grinding. First question is does this seem right to anyone that has used this steel? Second question is how can I tight the guard up a bit, JB weld? Lastly I would like to hot wax the sheath. How is this done if anybody knows. Ok that's it. thanks and keepem sharp
 
If he kept the blade cool while grinding, all he did was preserve whatever unknown hardness the steel had in its previous application. No guarantee whatsoever that it's going to make a good knife.

As far as the guard, yeah, JB weld will work, just get it all cleaned up before it hardens.

Don't know about the sheath.
 
I don't know the maker, but I do know that any saw blade core is way too soft for a knife blade. Sorry, but this soulds like an inexpensive ebay knife.


Added:
I would avoid hot waxing a sheath, as this can cook the leather and make it hard as rock. Better would be to give it a good soak in neatsfoot oil. It may take a week or more to dry out after a good soak, but it will be oiled for life.
 
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Thanks for the info. I just chopped a 3x3 piece of pressure treated lumber in half which frankly is no big deal but the knife is still darn sharp and there is no edge deformation to speak of. I mean it is still really sharp which I am surprised about. I imagine the blades get pretty hot when they are using them in the mill so don't what that does to them for making them stronger tougher or what. The maker has skills for sure maybe not the best I have seen but better than me! I don't know we'll see what happens. Maybe I'll pick a bigger piece of wood to baton through. Thanks for the info and advice. keepem sharp
 
Your knife will do fine cutting and preparing food, and light butchering. I wouldn't chop wood or do anything too stressful to a soft knife as it may bend/break, or mark the blade.

Use it as a slicer, and it will serve you well and long.
 
For the sheath you can dissolve some bees wax in neatsfoot oil untill it disappears then rub it all over the sheath while it is barely cool enough to use your hand.Use a hair dryer to heat it on the sheath to help it soak in.As long as the hairdryer or oil mixture isn't too hot for your skin you shouldn't hurt the sheath.
 
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