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Rail road iron blade
- Thread starter Berdar
- Start date
I've seen several of these over the years and for the most part they seem to be made as decorator pieces. As a decorator piece, I think they're fine, but as a user I would have my doubts. With so many steels to choose from and old railroad spike seems a dubious choice.
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2010
- Messages
- 2,846
railroad spikes with an "HC" stamped into the head typically contain anywhere from .40-.60% Carbon. Don't know about any of the other elements, so if it has an amazing heat treat I'm sure it'll cover just about anything you'll need.
There was also some talk about a yr ago on whether the railroads themselves were A2 or a 1080 variant.
There was also some talk about a yr ago on whether the railroads themselves were A2 or a 1080 variant.
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2012
- Messages
- 299
no particular artisans are doing these, any chap with a home forge has probably made one.
having said that, most rail road spikes are not high carbon so they won't hold an edge. Though you can still make a knife out of one with low carbon, as godot stated they would be more a decorative piece than anything.
having said that, most rail road spikes are not high carbon so they won't hold an edge. Though you can still make a knife out of one with low carbon, as godot stated they would be more a decorative piece than anything.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 285
Thanks for the input, but I'm not looking at spikes for knives,,they are a dime a dozen and I haven't found one I really care For anyways.
I was thinking more along the lines of the actual rails. Those things are pretty durable. I'm thinking they would make a really tough blade.
I was thinking more along the lines of the actual rails. Those things are pretty durable. I'm thinking they would make a really tough blade.
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2012
- Messages
- 299
a lot of people with home forges use RR Irons as anvils. I suppose if you could shape it it would make for a pretty tough blade
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
- Messages
- 1,449
Bowies are primarily fighters.
It is always nice to have a good heat treat just in case you need to do chores or utility work with your blade ... but when it comes to wounding, a 35-38 Rc piece of mild steel, or grey iron, is more than capable of holding a sufficient edge to thrust deep into tissue or make a wicked gash. (compare to bronze weapons whose 'C' hardness is 20 or less)
It really depends on your personal expectations for this "blade" - if you're looking for something to shave arm hair and make fuzz sticks then railroad iron will fall far short of your expectations.
It is always nice to have a good heat treat just in case you need to do chores or utility work with your blade ... but when it comes to wounding, a 35-38 Rc piece of mild steel, or grey iron, is more than capable of holding a sufficient edge to thrust deep into tissue or make a wicked gash. (compare to bronze weapons whose 'C' hardness is 20 or less)
It really depends on your personal expectations for this "blade" - if you're looking for something to shave arm hair and make fuzz sticks then railroad iron will fall far short of your expectations.
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