Question Re: Old Rock Drill Stem Steel type?

[theMachine]

Hi all! I tried searching both on BF as well as all over the internet trying to figure out whether some old rock drill stems I found while clearing out my Grandpa's shop are good for knifemaking. I know, I know. Don't use mystery steel, test it and find out, just buy a known steel from a reputable manufacturer, etc. My Grandpa has passed and I have this sitting in my garage with a bunch of other stuff.

Interweb research and critical thinking leads me to believe these 1" hex rods are probably a carbon steel with high toughness, but low carbon content. It's pretty hard to find a composition chart or datasheet for any contemporary version of these things online. Some places claim high carbon alloy steel, while others claim 4100 series simple carbon steel, and so on. Does anyone here have direct knowledge of whether these things would be suitable to repurpose of blades? Just curious. Thanks!

 

[DevinT]

Probably 4130-4140

Hoss

 

[Alex Topfer]

Probably more useful for forging tools than for blades

 

[A.McPherson]

Probably would make great hardy tools.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Some were S-7 or similar type "S" steels. Others are 4140 or similar. It depended on what they were designed to drill through.

 

[theMachine]

Probably 4130-4140

Hoss

Thanks! I appreciate the info!

 

[theMachine]

Some were S-7 or similar type "S" steels. Others are 4140 or similar. It depended on what they were designed to drill through.

Awesome. Thank you! It seems that tomahawks are in my future!

 

[theMachine]

Probably more useful for forging tools than for blades

That's good too! Thanks!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Is that an old bucksaw blade in the photo?