Saw Mill Blade

tbow

tbow

Joined
Nov 29, 2012
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554
I bought a saw mill blade at a antique market and wanted to find a way to determine what type of steel it is. I am interested in using it to make knives etc. I saw a post with a list of types of steel that farm tools/implements are made of, does anyone know where I can find that list.
 
One way to get a rough idea how it would work out is to cut a small narrow piece, heat it to non magnetic, quence it in canolla oil, the try to file on it with a course file. It it doesn't want to cut it's probably good enough to use but of course will need to have the temper drawn. Now, then, you can try a small blade. A further test will be to try some sort of cutting effort. Getting recognized steel to start is most often a better way to start on a knife making endevor. Frank
 
I used that list to "identify" steel for my first 8 blades. I now know I probably don't have the steel I thought I did. Considering 1084 steel sells for $3.00/ft in blade thickness, the hassle of cutting out old steel and scouring scrap piles just doesn't seem worth it.
 
I made a couple thousands knives from old saw mill blades. Very good steel!

Best advice; Test it... Test it... Test it...
 
hey don is there any way to test it to see what is is without having a piece of the same steel?
I also have a old saw blade from a lumber mill. I have heard that they are usually L-6 or 15N20 but I'm not sure.
 
bronyblacksmith said:
hey don is there any way to test it to see what is is without having a piece of the same steel?
I also have a old saw blade from a lumber mill. I have heard that they are usually L-6 or 15N20 but I'm not sure.
Click to expand...

Not L6, but sometimes 15N20, or a similar alloy.

You can have a small piece analyzed to see exactly what it is. The testing I speak of, is making small blades, heat treating them and see how they cut.
 
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