Truck leaf springs

C

cwhittington

Joined
Sep 6, 2002
Messages
106
Howdy- I am a greenhorn at knifemaking and have been gathering all the steel I can find that might make a knife. I found a truck spring shop in town that let me take all the cut-offs I wanted and it's all new steel too. Are all truck leaf springs 5160? and if not, what else might they be? I was pretty thrilled to come away with so much good steel, but have been reading through the archives tonight and have read a few posts that are unflattering toward leaf springs as knife stock- I was under the impression that leaf springs made great knives. Also, some of these are about 4" wide and up to 3/4 thick- don't know if my arms will hold up flattening those beasts out. Guess I should learn to make axes.
Should I go load up all I can or will I be disappointed? Thanks-
 
You probably have 5160 and some 6150 steel. The 6150 is generally used for the larger truck springs. They work and heat treat about the same.
Ken(wwjd)
 
This is a great find.Either 5160 or 6150 will make a great knife and these truck springs will do great,You might ask the guys at the spring shop what kind of steel they are using and they should be able to tell you and that way you won't have to guess.Since the steel is new you shouldn't have the problems that old steel can have such as cracks that you didn't see.I am using round rod 5160 that was aquired the same way as you and have been having great luck with it for years..
Bruce
 
Save the 3/4 X 4" stock for hawks 1" is even better
the smaller sizes make great knives and yes in time
you will run out of arm. Just don't over due it learn
when to stop. Gib
 
might be some 1095 too.

The shop here in town keeps all their specs on new stock in file 13:D for real. he said might be 5160, 1095, 6150 it was all the same to him. Just springs.
 
But it is not the same to us. If you can get the steel type, and even better the specs, by all means do. 1095 and 5160, for example, heat treat quite differently.

John
 
Go look at the Himilayan Imports Sight and the HI FAQ. Those guys over in Nepal use Truck Springs for Khukris. And some of the Khukris can run around 1" thick. Just an idea...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top