Knife out of chainsaw blade?

R

rodelio

Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
27
A smith friend is selling this one knife made out of a chainsaw blade, I am just wondering what steel is this made of? Is it really suitable for making knife?
 
Are you sure it's chainsaw and not hacksaw(or bandsaw)? Because I don't believe a chainsaw blade would be big enough to make a knife out of.

As far as hacksaw(or bandsaw, I forget which), I believe those are M2 steel at high hardness, from what I last heard.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Are you sure it's chainsaw and not hacksaw(or bandsaw)? Because I don't believe a chainsaw blade would be big enough to make a knife out of.

As far as hacksaw(or bandsaw, I forget which), I believe those are M2 steel at high hardness, from what I last heard.
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There are plenty of 'smiths out there who use chainsaw blades, chains, cables, etc. for their blades. As far as their suitability as knife steels (as with any steel) - it would depend on the carbon content and the bladesmith's skill/experience working with such materials. Try searching the makers' forum as well as the custom forum for examples.
 
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I have a small knife forged from a chainsaw chain somewhere in my collection. Nothing wrong with wee knife at all, it cuts pretty nicely and keeps a good edge. I don't think a chainsaw guide bar would be the best for making a knife though. I used to work as a forester so I had (still have) a good pile of old chains sitting about. :):thumbup:
 
I think you may be talking about the boom or bar(the part the chain runs over) a few companies use 4130, the hardest you can get this is RC54, it will make a nice knife but you will need to sharpen it more often.

Richard
 
I've seen Damascus/forge folded steel done from chainsaw chains and motorcycle chains and then knives made from them. Perhaps this is what your friend is referring to.--KV
 
Why someone would attempt trying to make a knife blade out of a chainsaw chain is quite beyond me, but whatever floats your boat. And as far as making a blade out of chainsaw chaps.....
 
colin.p said:
Why someone would attempt trying to make a knife blade out of a chainsaw chain is quite beyond me, but whatever floats your boat. And as far as making a blade out of chainsaw chaps.....
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A blade made from a chain saw chain would be forged and folded a number of times together with another harder steel to make a "Damascus" type billet which would be used to make a blade. Has been done for years with any number of metal objects.--I don't think anybody said anything about making a blade from chainsaw chaps.--KV
 
Chainsaw chain makes neat "Damascus" when forged. Holds a decent edge too.

I had a machete that was cut from a chainsaw bar once. Very tough and easy to sharpen up.

I have no idea what steels are in the chain or bar though. It'd be neat to know.
 
[QUOTE="kvaughn, post: 19021368, member: 153593"I don't think anybody said anything about making a blade from chainsaw chaps.--KV[/QUOTE]
The post from this morning (previous to mine and since removed) pointed to a page discussing various types of chainsaw chaps, while asking what would make the best knife blade. I tried to make sport of it, kind of lost the context...
 
Haha, I was wondering why it didn't make sense. But this has sparked my interest in chainsaw damascus, so not all is lost ;P
 
If it's the tongue or guide bar you're talking about, a lot of machetes are forged from it, and it's a desirable source of steel.
 
and 8 years later.........
 
There are many examples of chainsaw links being forged into knives. Motorcycle chains too.

They look really cool when done properly.

If not folded and restocked, you can still tell they were chainsaw or bike chain...

Ariely Salaverria is one maker off the top of my head. He has a website with pics.
 
This is not the knife I was thinking, but it is Ariel Salaverria. He uses both motorcycle chain, and chainsaw chains.

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He usually layers it over other steel.

This one is chainsaw

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Shoot....got sucked into another necro thread!!!!
 
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