Stump grinder tooth bolts?

[Treeman1102]

New guy on the block here. I am curious if anyone on here has tried to make a small knife out the the bolts used to hold stump grinder teeth on the machine. I have quite a stock of old ones and I am just curious if they would work. I have messed with it a little and it appears it is some form of air hardening steel but I'm not sure. Any advise would be appreciated. I know that I would be better off starting with a known steel. However, since I have quite a few of these bolts I am just looking at using them for learning to move the steel and shape it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I would suggest contacting the manufacturer and finding out the alloy, or at least the grade.

Grade 5 bolts are case hardened and won't work, Grade 8 bolts are medium carbon steel and can be hardened after forging.