hammer steel?

[mitch4570]

I just bought a box of hammers and files at a garage sale. What steels are these commonly made from and is it ok for knife blades?

 

[Robert_Phelps]

I think old files are supposed to be ok for knife making. However, for something like $35 you can get 6' of 1095 steel shipped to you though, and you will know: What steel you have, that the blade has the potential to be one of high quality, and that you can easily look up heat treating info.

 

[A C Richards]

Mitch
Normally hammers are made from 1040-1045, 4140 etc. Not normally good for blade steel. Files are normally 1095, W-1 or the like. The key word here is "Normally" Blue Dragon has a good point. If you are just playing around then use the files, If there is any remote possibility you will be getting more serious about knifemaking then buy known steels. I'm not saying files or "salvaged" steel won't make a good knife, it is just much harder getting a proper heat treat.

Chuck

 

[Keith_H]

Ive been buying known steels but have been tempted to use a rusty old file, probably because it is back to basics. Knifemaker87 has some good file knife examples on his photo bucket, I hope Chris doesn't mind- http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/SocialTransient87/?action=view&current=Pool013.jpg

Is heat treat that accurate for a beginner? won't most people have the same heat treat for 5160, 1050 and O1 (even though they are different?)