Weird but knife related.

[MBurks]

I have a bunch of starret bandsaw blade, about 1 inch wide and maybe 1/16th of an inch thick. I scrapped it out from work thinking it might be 15n20 but I'm doubtful now.

To the question, assuming I can harden it to some degree I would like to make a clip for a boot knife sheath out of some of it, my question is, how would you go about shaping it so that it closes on itself.

I've been rolling it around in my head and I know what I want to end up with but I can't figure exactly how to get there.

The clip would have to be hardened at a point past where it touches itself I believe so it would hold on to your boot, spring tempered of course.

How would you do that?

Or would shaping the piece to final shape and hardening in that position be sufficient to hold it in place?

I hope this makes sense and thanks for any replies.

 

[JTknives]

Your going to need to shape it while it's hot. A few pins in a vice will work. Once you get the shape you want your going to need to heat treat it and temper it. I would clamp it closed with a c clamp when you temper it so it will relax and go all the way closed. Make sure you put all the holes in it you need befor heat treating it. Oh and thoes blades will not be 15n20. Thy are most likely a simple carbon steel somewhere around 1075 or less.

 

[MBurks]

Your going to need to shape it while it's hot. A few pins in a vice will work. Once you get the shape you want your going to need to heat treat it and temper it. I would clamp it closed with a c clamp when you temper it so it will relax and go all the way closed. Make sure you put all the holes in it you need befor heat treating it. Oh and thoes blades will not be 15n20. Thy are most likely a simple carbon steel somewhere around 1075 or less.

Thanks that makes sense.

I think I can make something I little cooler than one I can buy, but I bet it will be fun to sand it!

 

[JTknives]

Start with a paper template and tweak it till it's the shape and length you want. Then stick it to the steel and have at it. 3 pins in a vise will create a good shape for a clip.