Would a gun barrel be good blade source steel?

[gordonquixote]

Last year I upgraded my Ruger 10/22 and now I am eyeing the old barrel to hammer into a blade. Would this be good steel for a knife?

If so, would inserting a steel rod into the barrel before forging/hammering make it more interesting when ground?

I have spent hours drooling over the posts here.....I'm hoping to give blade making a shot. I've spent the morning on my table saw checking out different wood for handles.

 

[Nathan Gould]

i think i remember seeing a knife made exactly as you describe- with a rod of good steel pout down the centre of a gun barrel and welded in place then forged out into a blade. would make a good conversation piece if nothing else

 

[Fletch Helical]

There was a post about this not too long ago here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697546 Not a ton of discussion but seemed like the consensus was not really.

No one mentioned the idea of inserting a rod inside of it though so not sure about that route. If you want to dive into knife making check this link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699736 there is a list of places you can easily get some steel from.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Most gun barrels are 50 points of carbon or less. Too lean to make a good knife.

Tough though, might make a good pry bar...

 

[butcher_block]

sell the barrel for 40-50 bucks then buy known steel