kingpin???

[moon59]

I just picked up a semi kingpin and was wondering if it would be any good for blades. Dam thing is heavy as hell and has some rust on it. Thanks for any info. Moon. Just did a spark test and it looks good but any info would be helpful, thanks.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Something like this ?
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...A07C30CDE3F89E190D64BB06C4A3&selectedIndex=10

It might work nicely as a small anvil. Without any specs, I wouldn't bother trying to make a blade from it.

 

[moon59]

That's not it Stacy. It's about 10" long 1 1/2 " thick on the small end 2" on the large end. Looked it up on a couple of truck sites, they said it is 1045. So I think it would work as the outside on some san mai. Thanks, Moon.

 

[A C Richards]

yep, 1045 or 4140. Not quite enough carbon. Will make a mediocre blade but great hammers and forge tools.

 

[Willie71]

1045 is good for hammers? I have a whole combine axle in 1.5" hex 1045. I see some hammers and axes in my future. I assume an axe would need some blade steel in the tip?

 

[A C Richards]

4140 would be better but 1045 tempered back works good too. It is good to put a bit on an ax edge but not absolutely necessary. The 1045 will probably get hard enough for an ax edge. They are normally quite a bit softer than a knife blade.