Nail nick punch

Sean Yaw

Sean Yaw

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
417
I have been making nail nicks with a dremel and files with pretty good success. I have read about people making punches for this operation. I am looking for tips on how to go about making a punch in general and specifically for nail nicks. Do I just make the business end look like how I image it should to make a suitable nail nick? Is there any specific steel I should use to make this? I use almost exclusively A2 steel, but I am not sure 3/32" thick sheets would make for a good punch. I read about using old files possibly. What hardness would be reasonable to aim for in the HT/tempering process? Thank you for the help.
 
Maybe you could contact a company like buckeye engraving and they could make you a stamp to your specs.
 
Yeah, that could get expensive though if I wanted different nail nick sizes for different knives. I am sure they would do a better job than anything I will be doing though!
 
1095 is a very good all-purpose steel, and it's inexpensive and easy to work and easy to heat treat for projects like this.
 
I saw a post not too long ago, can't remember where, but a guy made a nail nick punch from a half round file and looked like it did a really good job!
 
try a dovetail cutter.. clamp the blade edge up, mark where you want it and move the blade into the cutter (on milling machine)
you can now move the slot longer (widen it) this way you can make them as big or small as you like..
 
Ben Kabisch said:
I saw a post not too long ago, can't remember where, but a guy made a nail nick punch from a half round file and looked like it did a really good job!
Click to expand...
Do you think it was on BF? That could be a handy post to find.
 
Around 50 Rockwell. Spring temper should work. If you are hot-stamping, it could be harder.
If you need to know what the punch tip should look like, find knives with the size nicks you want, and take an impression with modeling clay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top