railroad spike quenchant

[savageknives]

does anyone have any idea what i would go about heat treating a knife hammered from a railroad spike with? i was shown this by a man who i am no longer able to contact but he made a very tough blade out of it. any info is much appreciated.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

You may get some answers to that question here, but it would be best to ask it in the Shop Talk - BladeSmith Questions and Answers forum.

From what I have learned over the years, railroad spikes have very little carbon and won't get very hard. Railroad spike knives are generally made as novelty pieces or letter openers.

 

[EdgarFigaro]

The HC spikes have about .30% or can anyway.
That's the high end of the carbon range for a spike, which I would think could harden, but you'd need something like water or brine, I've one I made when starting out that was hardened in oil, but it doesn't seem to hold the best edge, so probably didn't harden up all that well. Makes a decent steak knife though lol

Beau Erwin