Info on metal for making a knife

[blackgrub0331]

A file makes a great knife. The steel is so hard you can barely sharpen it. You just have to be carefull grinding as to not remove the temper.

True that was my first knive I ever made I did that about 9 or 10 years ago when I was in high school. Also puddy knives are good to make a knife from also.

 

[KnifeHead]

I use an oil pan from a Chevy 350 with extra virgin olive oil and smells like burnt fries when I put it in the tempering oven (toaster oven). Why a chevy 350 oil pan? Goes Faster than a import pan.....joking.....

That joke never gets old

 

[KnifeHead]

Seriously, one of the great things about this forum is you can benefit from a wide range of information and help from people who have "done the homework". Isn't it true you can make a pretty good knife from found materials, even if you are not 100% sure of the exact type of steel it is, as long as it is a high carbon steel and you test it? I would guess that a knife made from a file is better than most knives you would find in the average household.

 

[KnifeHead]

In another thread I posted this file I was practicing on with my new KMG(love it!) and couldn't resist showing what else I have done with it. I know it's not new steel with high performance capabilities but you gotta admit there is something charming about making something out of a piece of steel that might otherwise be destined for the trash pile. I have already had an offer to buy this without any holes or handles once it is HT and sharpened. I call it "Little Scrapper".