What kind of steel is this?

[Sword and Shield]

I was killing some time grinding on an old handsaw blade today, making a little kitchen knife. Did all my grinding with a good dust mask, no ill effects, and a neat little knife. However, I've a question.

What alloy might this saw be? It was my grandfather's, no notation on the blade I can see under all the rust and patina. It's obviously a carbon steel-tons of rust and sparks when I was cutting it- but which? I've seen some documentation that it may be L6, but I'm unsure.

Thanks.

 

[mete]

'handsaw' or 'bandsaw' ?? A large [industrial ] bandsaw might be but otherwise no.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Handsaw. Classic woodsaw. It's carbon, that much is obvious, but beyond that...

 

[mete]

It's probably nothing more than something like 1050 or 1070.

 

[Sword and Shield]

1070 would suit me just fine. It tosses sparks like a file, so I'm thinking the higher range. Of course, 1050 is okay for a small kitchen/neck knife, too.

 

[Barkes Knife Shop]

If it was your grandfather's it was back in the 1940's to 50's and was 1095 or 1084 steel. It will make a great knife. ---------:thumbup:

 

[Sword and Shield]

I'll have to see how it does when finish ground. It's a nice little santoku, and I just might do a small necker next.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Well, it sharpened up fairly easily, but then again, 1095 does for me. I found some instructions for a HT using what I have- oxyacetylene torch and an oven- now to work up a design.

Since the steel is fairly thin- say about as thick as a dime- would a simple edge bevel be enough for decent cutting, or should I go for a full grind on a small 2-3" blade?