Using steel from cars

L

lowlysubaruguy

Joined
Dec 3, 2022
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Im new to all of this im about to attempt my first knives pretty soon. Im in the automotive business and I am wondering what parts of a car might make decent knives and making tools for use in just general blacksmithing.


one thing in particular is axles we replace a lot of them so I have literally and endless supply. I also scrap about 20 cars a year coil springs torsion bars are also an easy get get component.

its not a big deal if there really isn’t an easy to work with metal that performs well on a car but I’m expecting to have some failures as I learn this skillset why not use something that is free and requires little time and effort to get.
 
This question comes up fairly often here. If some scrap steel has historical significance or sentimental value, then people sometimes try to incorporate it. Otherwise it is easiest to learn using known steel in known condition. A piece of 1095 from Alpha is around $5 and will behave predictably.
If you want to pound on scrap to learn basic blacksmithing, then there is no harm.
 
In my opinion, the only steel from a car that is usable for forging a knife is a pre-1960 tire iron. The straight ones with a bend near the socket were pretty much 1095 back then. The car body, other parts, and springs are not reliable quality steel, and you have no idea how to HT them.

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"If you want to pound on scrap to learn basic blacksmithing, then there is no harm."
Click to expand...

Coil springs can be good for some basic tools
You're going to spend a tremendous amount of fuel and effort to straighten them.

Axles can be decent punches, maybe unless they are just surface hardened.

If you want to do canister damascus, or you can do tradesies with someone who does;
Roller chain / timing chain / chainsaw chain - the kind with no plastic or o rings.

You may be able to do tradsies with a cast iron foundry guy for cast iron brake discs.
 
Ken H> said:
Count: What are the cast iron brake discs used for? You are talking about the "discs" for disc brakes? Not the brake "drums" used in the old style drum brakes?
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This guy uses discs not drums
But I think that's more about the way he breaks them to fit into his furnace

In high school we did some furnace casting and some kids sledge hammered scrap material into bits.


He does one offs, repair parts from old machines,

pulleys,
scraping straight edges,
decorative crap
Machinist squares

Fry pan
 
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