Old Sugar Cane Knife

[30-30 Cal.]

Hi Guys,

Someone gave me an old knife, I think it's a sugar cane knife; it's about two and a half feet long (blade) with probably a twelve inch handle. It's 3/16's or so, and I could make a hell'va knife from it. Problem-I have no idea of the type of steel and so could not guess how it should be HT'ed. Any suggestions?

Dave

 

[30-30 Cal.]

Ok, so perhaps I asked the wrong question. How about this? Can I assume commercially made machetes, etc. may/probably are make with common and inexpensive steels like 1095?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[jiminy]

I think it's safe to say they're made from high carbon steel ...but I don't know how far beyond that I'd go, other than to note that for many years machetes were made from old vehicle leaf springs, which I understood was primarily 5160 back then.

 

[30-30 Cal.]

oh heck, maybe it's not even worth the effort when I can get good quality steel so cheap.

dave

 

[Ivan Campos]

As far as I know, it uses to be medium carbon and left very soft. I bough one once just to cut it and use the steel for miniatures.

 

[Sweany]

just sell the knife on ebay, buy new steel