Who knows their steels! Fork Lift forks and Train Tracks!

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

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Feb 1, 2001
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I have some used fork lift forks from a Crown fork lift and some sections of train tracks. What steels are used in these and how hard are they in their current form? Were they heat treated for their original factory? Would they make a good blade? Thanks!
 
Hmm well I'd guess some form of low quality stainless, but It could well be carbon. I doubt they're hard enough to make a good blade as they are, but I could be wrong.

I'm guessing they're at about 40-50HRC? I don't know, just guessing. :D
 
the tracks themselves dont make very good knives, great impromptu anvils though, the spike however are 52100 and treated rather low so perfect for some knife making IMO, i have no idea about the fork lifts though
 
Fork lift forks are probably regular A36 structural steel. Not hardenable because of the low carbon content.

I can't say this for sure, but that would be my guess
 
Himalayan Imports had made a small run of their Ultimate Fighter knives in Caterpillar excavator steel.
 
you could call crown's tech line and ask, they might be able to tell you.

why not just buy some flat bars of knife steel, there are plenty to choose from and no guessing as to what it is :confused:
 
Thanks guys! I just thought it would be cool to have a blade made out of something like this.
 
the blade would be cool (a conversion piece). but unless you know the grade you're working with and you do the heat treat right, it won't perform very well (that's saying you actually plan on using it).
 
The steel in forklift forks is probably not standardized, so it could be nearly anything that will be strong enough. I suspect a low alloy steel, something like 41XX or 43XX.

RR rail is (last I heard) a manganese low alloy steel. Excellent wear, but not high enough hardness for a knife.

Anyone have a source for 52100 for RR spikes? That just doesn't seem like a good fit.
 
Hi,

Here is a very generalized, yet handy chart to use whilst wandering the scrapyard.

junkyardsteel.jpg


But like me, it's a bit old. Things like new files are often some propritatry mix. S5 isn't a very common steel anymore. So use with judgement

dalee
 
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