Help with shear blade

[tyjax]

Hello Gentlemen. I assume that some of you have a Buffalo Ironworker, and was wondering if you could help. I have what I think is a buffalo shear blade. There are numbers stamped on the end. They are 3T-14978 693-OM A. The dimensions are 12x3x5/8. It's in good shape. One side has some chips on it, but the other edge is nice and sharp. Anyway, could you tell me what I have and possibly what kind of steel it is? I would like to make a tomahawk out of it, but if somebody could use it for their buffalo I would rather do that.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Can't help you on the shear blade, but most hawks are made from the lower end of medium carbon steel. 4140,5160, 1040/1050/1060, are all good choices. A mild steel wrap with a high carbon steel bit inserted and welded up makes a superb hawk, too. For the simplest and easiest hawk project, use a 16 oz ball peen hammer head, and forge it out.