Springsteel for a machete?

Hengelo_77

Hengelo_77

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There is a knife show comming up here and I want to buy steel to make a machete by stockremoval.
I was thinking of using a springsteel.
Is that a good idea? Any sugestions?
 
spring steel is mostly 1085 steel ( some say Mercedes springs are the best),
5160 steel is used in train couplings and steel pressing machines
L6 is steel used in bandsaws
 
"spring steel" can be almost anything. Mercedes uses 5160 Modified for suspension springs IIRC. For a chopper like machete,kukri etc the best are 5160,L-6, 9260, 1070.
 
All the steels mentioned above are fine. Your main concerns are going to be finding it thin and wide enough, and making sure it is heat treated properly.

John
 
Yes: 1095 - 1084 - 52100 that's what you want to get. It's the best for making a using knife. Hope this was of help to you. ------:thumbup:
 
For a machete, I prefer 5160 or 9260. It is tougher and easier to resharpen. A machete blade is not needed to fillet fish. Make the edge geometry strong and it will hold up well.
Stacy
 
I myself would go with L6 or 5160. Anything above .8% carbon would be a waste on a machete blade, and could even hinder the performance. 15n20 was mentioned and would work if they offered it in any sizes bigger than shim stock samples. This is the same reason I don't use this very nice steel in my damascus, it is too darned small.
 
Kelly Cupples has .095 15N-20 that works great for machetes. It took awhile to fine tune the edge geometry for durability. The material is designed to be flexible and durable...Take Care...Ed
 
1085 will be easy to cut and grind, easy to heat treat, and provide very good hardness and toughness. I think it would be your easiest solution.
 
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