using old wrenches

[ChuckTilbury]

I dropped by the pawn shop the other day and saw that they had a pile of old wrenches and files for a pretty cheap price. I was wondering if anyone ever tried making a knife out of that kind of junk. Is it worth looking into?

Thanks,
Chuck Tilbury

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Unless you are an experienced knife maker - NO, it is not a good idea.

If you are an experienced maker, you will order new, known composition steel anyway.

The files may be useful to make knives with if they aren't worn out, and wrenches are great for tightening bolts and stuff like that.

 

[manassas dragon]

i made a knife out of a bellota classic farrier rasp. then sent it off to peter's heat treating. came back with a rockwall hardness of about 50. needless to say, it was a learning experience and i have since ordered 1095 from aldo.