How can I tell what a knife is made out of?

poetommy16

poetommy16

Joined
Oct 26, 2016
Messages
181
So I have a machete my dad gave to me a long time ago it was my first knife (Kinda a knife) I dont thing he knows what its mafe out of it doesnt have and markings on it except for CHINA in big letters on the handle any way to figure it out?
88fda2cbd8a72695a32dc78ee262a7f0.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
 
What does the blade smell like? Machetes are made of carbon steel which smells like old screw drivers and the like. Carbon steel also tastes tangy, try licking it.
 
I have a similar situation. My dad has this machete, old handmade thing. The steel is beyond amazing! It holds an edge like crazy and is super tough stuff. Wish I could figure out what steel was used, but I don't think it is possible.
 
I don't know how you'd tell for sure, but I'd guess it's a 10XX, probably 1075 or something close.
 
You can send an alloy to be tested but it is often prohibitively expensive.

Due to it being China made, I would assume it would be their equivalent of 1070/1075, either 8MnSi, #70 or #75
 
Yes there are a few ways. The easiest is visit a shop like Peter's Heat Treat. They have an electronic gun that measures the different densities (I think) that lets them know its alloy content. They have a tube video and he demonstrates it.

Another way is to track down who made it, originally imported or sold.it.

The final way is a grind / spark test. Some machinists can narrow it down by the shower of sparks the metal throws when ground. Thats all I got. Hopefully someone here has one and can let you know exactly. I think 1055-1070 is the likely steel but its just a guess based on common Chinese industry standards.
 
I have one maybe two of the very same machete laying around the garage, they were all less than $10 new, coming from your father makes it (possibly) invaluable to you and that is just fine and understandable. I however would not be spending any money to determine which steel it is made from as the answer is probably whatever was the cheapest and there that day.
 
unklfranco said:
Yes there are a few ways. The easiest is visit a shop like Peter's Heat Treat. They have an electronic gun that measures the different densities (I think) that lets them know its alloy content. They have a tube video and he demonstrates it.

Another way is to track down who made it, originally imported or sold.it.

The final way is a grind / spark test. Some machinists can narrow it down by the shower of sparks the metal throws when ground. Thats all I got. Hopefully someone here has one and can let you know exactly. I think 1055-1070 is the likely steel but its just a guess based on common Chinese industry standards.
Click to expand...

That grind/ spark test sounds interesting.
 
crom said:
What does the blade smell like? Machetes are made of carbon steel which smells like old screw drivers and the like. Carbon steel also tastes tangy, try licking it.
Click to expand...
It smells like old screw drivers. And it tastes really wierd so its prolly carbon thanks

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top