Quite possibly the coolest railroad spike knife ever!

[Danbo]

Picked up this cool knife Saturday, at the Ron Duncan Hammer In from Daniel Ehrenburger. Certainly the biggest railroad spike I have ever seen, since the cutting edge is over 7". It's also one of the sharpest knives I own, and will easily shave hair.

 

[Danbo]

A slightly different view.

 

[Joss]

Nice forging there. However, unless I'm badly mistaken, isn't the C content too low to get good hardenability?

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Railroad spike knives do not often appeal to me, but this one is an exception. Very nice, indeed.

 

[Danbo]

The carbon content is a little too low for an ideal knife, but they make a good and tough blade. I believe the carbon content is similar to 1060 steel.

 

[NGK-Webmaster]

Very cool, I like the curve of the blade and well the whole thing really. got another one for me?

 

[Wulf]

"HC" marked spikes have enough carbon to harden.

That thing is wicked. Spikey spikey!

 

[cockroachfarm]

Love the shape of that blade!

 

[RogerP]

That is one wicked-looking blade. Very cool indeed.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Burchtree]

I saw that thing this past weekend and it is wicked indeed!

 

[Joss]

"HC" marked spikes have enough carbon to harden.

I've been told that it's a persisting "bladesmithing legend", that HC is in fact a maker's mark.

 

[Burchtree]

I don't know about the HC part, but I've read that if using the ol' superquench, you can get the spikes to about 57.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

If the carbon content is the same as 1060, then 57RC should be no problem at all.

 

[TDE]

boy that is nice, I agree with Keith, it takes a certain look to appeal to me, this one does!

 

[Don Hanson III]

That has got to be the longest RR spike knife I've ever seen and the coolest.

Don

 

[Danbo]

See? Even the kitty with the lime on his head agrees with me!

 

[golok]

I just acquired a railroad spike. Now all I have to do is to get someone to knock it into the right shape for me!

 

[RogerP]

See? Even the kitty with the lime on his head agrees with me!

That freakin' cat just cracks me up every time.

Roger