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- Oct 20, 2008
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Here are two RR spike knives that I just sharpened up today. I heat the spike, twist the handle fully once, forge the blade out, grind, quench, and finish. These are lightly used "HC" spikes. The HC stands for high carbon- for a railroad spike. The steel in these is really a "medium" carbon steel of around 0.35% carbon. This means that they will stiffen up a bit if quenched very fast- I use ice water. However, this steel will not hold an edge like most steels used in modern knives. I ground the edges thin so they will cut nicely for a while, then be easy to re-sharpen.
These knives are both 8-1/4" - 8-3/8" overall length, 1-3/16" blade width, and have a 4-1/2" blade length. Durable scotch-brite belt finish with scale left as forged on handle, wire-brushed and oiled.
If you know anyone who A., likes hand-forged iron, B., likes knives, C., likes trains, or D., any one of or combination of the above- this might just be a gift they would dig. Or perhaps you yourself fall into one of the above categories...
"Lightly used" means that they were actually in the track for a pretty short period of time. (No, I didn't pull them out.) Trains have actually thundered over these spikes. The heads may be lightly marred due to having been driven in. I trust the photos provided will show to what extent.
Asking price for one spike knife (first buyer gets pick) including shipping anywhere in the U.S. is $40. These make a nice set; price for the two sold as a set is $70 shipped. (They go in the same box as a single one does, saving shipping.) These knives now SOLD. Thanks for shopping.
Number One:
Number Two:
The two as a pair:
These knives are both 8-1/4" - 8-3/8" overall length, 1-3/16" blade width, and have a 4-1/2" blade length. Durable scotch-brite belt finish with scale left as forged on handle, wire-brushed and oiled.
If you know anyone who A., likes hand-forged iron, B., likes knives, C., likes trains, or D., any one of or combination of the above- this might just be a gift they would dig. Or perhaps you yourself fall into one of the above categories...
"Lightly used" means that they were actually in the track for a pretty short period of time. (No, I didn't pull them out.) Trains have actually thundered over these spikes. The heads may be lightly marred due to having been driven in. I trust the photos provided will show to what extent.
Asking price for one spike knife (first buyer gets pick) including shipping anywhere in the U.S. is $40. These make a nice set; price for the two sold as a set is $70 shipped. (They go in the same box as a single one does, saving shipping.) These knives now SOLD. Thanks for shopping.
Number One:
Number Two:
The two as a pair:
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