Grass Shears?

[CraigRNC]

Hey folks - just curious, are most common hand-held grass shear blades a decent carbon steel? I have a 30-year-old pair that I'm thinking about making into a neck knife and didn't want to waste my time if it's not going to hold an edge. Thanks!

 

[Danke42]

Have they held an edge for 30 years?

 

[CraigRNC]

Have they held an edge for 30 years?

They have been rarely if ever used. My dad used to buy tons of tools that he never used, including these. So the edge durability can't be determined by the age

 

[eveled]

Sharpen them. Cut stuff. Then check the edge.

 

[CraigRNC]

Sharpen them. Cut stuff. Then check the edge.

Thanks, but that won't tell me anything about long term edge retention. The question was about the steel type. Do you know?

 

[Danke42]

I wouldn't take that bet.

 

[eveled]

It will if you test it long enough.

There is no way else to tell. It is mystery steel.

 

[CraigRNC]

I wouldn't take that bet.

Why not? Are you saying the claim of high carbon isn't accurate?

 

[Ajack60]

Knives have been made from files, wrenches, spring steel, saw blades.
See if you can dig up any info on the shears and go from there. If the brand isn’t stamped on them some where, it may not be worth the effort.

 

[knarfeng]

Why not? Are you saying the claim of high carbon isn't accurate?

The term "High Carbon Steel" still leaves the field fairly open as to composition and performance.
Technically, it means "carbon content of at least 0.6%". That's a fairly low percentage for a knife blade.

Grass shears tend to focus on toughness, rather than edge holding for choice of blade steel.

 

[DocJD]

didn't want to waste my time

You do this sort of project for the satisfaction of accomplishment and learning experience .

If you just want a good cheap production knife for a given purpose , that's pretty simple .

This is a great place to ask !