Forging coiled wire?

[colu41]

I can get this stuff from my work all day at no cost. It is from an innerspring coil. It IS spring steel, I just don't know the type. And it seems to me that it is hardened as well. I may try to call the company and see if they can tell me the exact type of steel it is.

Anyways. I was curious as if these were possible to forge either into a blade, or if it's not decent steel maybe throw some nickel in there and make some make shift damascus bolster or guard material? I have probably over 5 lbs of it so far. Will be saving it just in case from now on.

Btw, I have no experience in forging. I just wanted to know if this would be overly difficult, and what I would need to try it.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have seen that made into damascus that was called "e-coli". It was mixed with a high nickel powder ( 15N20?) and welded up. When ground it sort of resembled fossils rocks with turretella shell.

I would bundle it up and pack it tightly in the canister.

 

[colu41]

I'll have to try it out. Need to do a little more research on forging before I just jump in.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A powder canister isn't a beginners task.
You could send the bundle to a damascus maker ( the exchange has a place to solicit for people to do a task), and let someone with the equipment and experience make the billet. Then you can them make a really nice knife or two from the billet.