Homemade steel?

[dan97526]

I posted this to rec.knives, with the expected result I don't post much here since I don't really have anything but questions to add to the discussion...

Anyhew, I was looking to purchase a smooth honing steel, and it occured to me: why spend $35 on what seems little more than a steel rod with a handle? Furthermore, I want at least a 12" steel, and they seem hard to come by.

Any reason why I couldn't make one myself? Are steel rods of sufficient hardness available at my local metal shop?

Anyone tried this or have any pertinent thoughts?

Thanks,


Dan

 

[mete]

I suppose you could buy a piece of tool steel rod [ drill rod] and heat treat it and install a handle. You would then get a smooth steel. I don't know how you would get a grooved one.

 

[T Schloz]

It seems that I have read that a push rod from an automobile engine can be used for this. I have not tried it myself.

Tom