Shotgun barrel (4140?) into knife?

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pyzik

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Apr 27, 2010
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I've been bouncing around the idea of making a knife for some time now. I've gathered materials here & there and I'm on the verge of giving it a go.

While in my garage looking at things I have and making a list of what I'll need I moved a piece of shotgun barrel out of my way and a light bulb (albeit a dim one) went off in my head.

I love guns, I love blades (admittedly I love guns more) so making a knife out of a piece of discarded shotgun barrel would be frigging awesome!
(Picked up a Winchester 1300 that is becoming an SBS).

The barrel that is left is about a 12" long and I'm assuming 4140 steel. I am sure 4140 isn't an ideal knife material but if could be done right? I feel like 12" is more than enough steel to forge. I'd be looking at doing some folding with it I think.

Anyone here lend advice against what I'm thinking? I'm I so far out there that this is just a silly idea (I do get those from time to time).

Thanks in advance!!
 
4140 is .40% carbon. A bit low for a knife. (it won't be very hard). It would make a nice tomahawk. If you are new to knifemaking, the process to forge a knife, or tomahawk out of a shotgun barrel will require a steep learning curve. Most makers start out utilizing the stock removal method (grinding a flat ground piece of knife quality steel into a knife shaped object). See the stickies at the top of this subforum regarding tips for new knife makers.
 
kdogmcg said:
4140 is .40% carbon. A bit low for a knife. (it won't be very hard). It would make a nice tomahawk. If you are new to knifemaking, the process to forge a knife, or tomahawk out of a shotgun barrel will require a steep learning curve. Most makers start out utilizing the stock removal method (grinding a flat ground piece of knife quality steel into a knife shaped object). See the stickies at the top of this subforum regarding tips for new knife makers.
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That's what I'd initially planned and the materials for which I've gathered.

Perhaps I'll shelve this idea for a later date when experience has been gained.
 
What can be done with that barrel is make a san-mai blade from it. You will need a friend who can forge weld. First, heat to forging temp and flatten the barrel into a thin oval. Then grind away one end to make a "U". Next, slip an 1/8" bar of 1095/W2/52100 into the "U" and forge weld it solid ( called a "hot dog" weld). Forge this out into a bar of flat stock the desired thickness and cut/grind a knife from it. Harden for the core steel. The resulting blade has softer tough sides and a really hard and sharp edge. This is called san-mai, which means "three-layer'.

This is the best use for old "damascus" shotgun barrels.
 
If you can turn a pump into a side by side you have a lot of the skills to make a laminated blade.
 
Bo T said:
If you can turn a pump into a side by side you have a lot of the skills to make a laminated blade.
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That was confusing. Yes "Short Barreled Shotgun". A side by side is typically SXS or SxS.


Future SBS by Damage Photos, on Flickr

kdogmcg said:
In this case, I think "SBS" is an acronym for "Short Barreled Shotgun"
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Lieblad said:
As I read, "SBS" is short barell shotgun. Not side by side.
Anyway, as stated, you can end up a good letter opener. But not a knife.
You might utilise better as furniture. Example, pommel, etc.
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I considered using this with some leather or the sorts. I'll keep mulling things over in my mind.
 
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