railroad track steel for knives

HC on a railroad spike does not necessarily mean high carbon, it may mean highway crossing, and these spikes need to be stronger for this part of the track. Any mistake and it's a dangerous terrible event ! These hand-forged railroad spike knives are made by the team at Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina.   Czech Republic   |   English (US)   |   K (CZK), remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy, remember your login, general, and regional preferences, personalize content, search, recommendations, and offers. Knowing that it usually doesnt matter much which side is used. Besides that, it is also sufficient for making various knives, so if you are more into bladesmithing, a piece of the railroad track is an ideal choice. The spikes are barely heat treatable and won't hold an edge very long. I have seen some people welding together three pieces of rail tracks. I go hiking with the dogs and bring a few back every time. The wonderful thing about rail tracks is they are most easily available. We have a cabin in the coal branch, Alberta. If you have to move the anvil very often, we recommend having an anvil no heavier than 100 pounds, mainly due to practical reasons. An updated version of that design has been published in the 2004 issue of Model Railroad Planning. Railroad track steel is a great choice for knife making because it is strong, durable, cost-effective, and easy to forge. Damaging railroad tracks (i.e., picking up railroad spikes) is a federal offense (classified as a "terrorist act") now thanks to Homeland Security. Imho if youre going to the effort to forge a knife , there are far better options. View Etsys Privacy Policy. It also provides a better rebound when hammering. Knife Weight: 1lb (approx.) You must log in or register to reply here. Railroad track steel is typically 1084 or equivalent hot rolled steel. The tip is wedge-shaped, not pointed. Carbon content ranges from 0.55 to 0.82%, depending on weight and size. Each knife starts out as a new, high-quality railroad spike which is then heat treated and hand-forged into the signature Northern Crescent Iron shape. Done properly it's a clean quick kill. WebRailroad spikes, which have been used on railroad tracks for more than 100 years, are collector's items for train enthusiasts and historians. This is just a term used within the railroad industry for when to use specific spikes on specific sections of tracks (HC spikes are often used in tight bends). Once the blade is made, you have to hope that the steels history hasn't set it up for terrible warp or cracks in HT. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. They even solved the noise problem railroad anvils have because of their shape. Northern Crescent Iron recommends these knives for light to medium duty use, many owners use them for display purposes although they do seem to be popular for use as steak knives.

An updated version of that design has been published in the 2004 issue of Model Railroad Planning. CZK 102.36, CZK 105.16 Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy.

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Many people enjoy taking uncommon objects and making practical tools out of them. This steel was considered the best steel for their swords. Also, I would generally prefer to use something other than a knife to kill a hog, and rely on the knife for cleaning the carcass. These are my kit tongs for holding mini-railroad spikes.

Well, it depends. That is absolutely not necessary. To learn, Early 20th Century American Railroad Spikes, Appalachian Blacksmiths Association - Wax, Appalachian Blacksmiths Association - Oil, Forge a Medieval Rondel out of a Railroad spike, Blacksmithing tools - Railroad spike bolt tongs, Poor Man's Forged Bolt or RR Spike Tongs From Harbor Freight Long Handled Pliers, Blacksmithing tools - Flat nib tongs forged of two railroad spikes, Forging Rail Spike Tongs from Old Nippers, Blacksmithing Railroad Spike Tongs Simplified Version, Forging Railroad Spike Tongs for Blacksmithing, Blacksmithing .finn Liam Christie forging a railroad spike tongs from 3/4" stock mild steel, Wisdom of my father: "It takes more of a man to walk away from a fight than to stay and fight. Its tough, through-hardening, and forgable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can cut and shape the horn based on your needs. WebRailroad spikes, which have been used on railroad tracks for more than 100 years, are collector's items for train enthusiasts and historians. WebThe carbon range for these track spikes is from 0.17 to 0.25%C, and the manganese content is 0.90-1.35%Mn. WebRailway Railroad Spike Knife, Hand Forged Steel, Unusual Full Tang Knife, Fixed Blade Knife, Personalized Blade, Viking Knife, Brutal Knife 5 out of 5 stars (553) Sale Price $33.30 $ 33.30 From what I can find on-line, railroad track steel is typically 1084 or equivalent hot rolled steel. Modern versions of these knives are much higher quality than their forebears due to better grades of steel being used, and the knives being made by Northern Crescent Iron are the best weve come across yet. Break a piece off, to make sure that it develops an appropriate grain size. I've got a bunch of the spring clips as well. WebShop Target for chef knife bags you will love at great low prices. Oh and as far as handle material he mentioned something about a set of elk horns he has from a 5 day solo hunt he shot with a bow In the Arkansas mountains. While the railroad track is not composed of the hardest steel, it still has a decent hardness level. Quenching is a cooling process where hot material is taken out of the forge and immediately placed in some medium, usually in water or oil, for those unfamiliar with this term. For example, if small projects like hooks and bottle openers are all you do, you dont need an anvil more massive than 100 pounds. WebLocated along the railroad tracks of the 35th parallel, it became a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 (now the Santa Fe RR). The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. Byron's first custom layout design and operations consulting was a design for the 1950s-era Santa Maria Valley Ry. 1084 is medium-high carbon steel, which can be heat treated. Another commonplace to search for rail tracks is a scrapyard. As we already said, the railroad track is the most common anvil alternative among blacksmiths, especially beginners. You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. You better take tents and food, because you may be there for days cutting a rail section lengthwise with a portaband. It is simply not practical or easy. According to the American Society for Testing Materials, railroad tracks are made from steels in which carbon, Manganese, silicon, and phosphorus are primary alloys. The discovery of ore in the nearby hills assured the town of growth in the late 1880's. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! The guys I know who "knife hunt" hogs are using dogs to wear the hog out and pin it down for sticking. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I hope to see some videos of you blasting through 2x4s soon. There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating.

WebRailroad Spike Tracker Knife Highlights: Thick (3/16") High Carbon Steel; Double Edged Tracker Blade Shape; Full Tang with Twisted Metal Handle; Rugged Sawback Spine; Genuine Leather Sheath with a Belt Loop; Blade Length: 6" (approx.) You can easily forge hooks, bottle openers, fire pokers, and many others. Well I'm going to try this again. Having the hard anvil helps to reduce the damage of wearing down. The first thing you do is tell your family and friends that you are looking for some piece of rail track and see if someone has it. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. I still have my chunks of rail from those days sitting under my bench. I would probably start by slicing a cross section of the rail (say 1/4 in), normalizing it, and hardening it. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. In that case, you have two choices, to dress it all over again or throw it away. Carbon content ranges from 0.55 to 0.82%, depending on weight and size. But that feature alone is not enough; the anvil should also be hard. This steel is hardened, wear-resistant and good for cutting. WebRailroad Rusty Spikes Lot Blacksmith Knife Crafting (20) Old Metal $20.95 Free shipping 67 sold Blacksmith RR Track Anvil, 9.75"L X 7.25"H X 6" Base. The landlord told us to take some if we wanted it. I could get home some very good steel for about $20-$30. I can recommend (because I have several knives from each of them) : Stefan Strmberg, Paul Baleta, John Kapnisis, Stoil Manchev, Daado, limonad. I happened upon a promotional piece about a Korean knife and toolmaker that states they use repurposed railroad tracks exclusively for their kitchen knives. As the Nike slogan says, Just do it.. Railroad spikes can be gathered from old tracks, purchased in antique shops or purchased from train enthusiasts, and they are turned into a variety of useful and creative tools. If you don't get the performance out of the steel that you would like, you likely can make the blade with a known steel core sandwitched betwixt two sections of rail. Some may turn out to be excellent anvils, while others do not. Just stick to makers who use known steels and do them well. Cheers! The decline of mining and rail traffic in the 1940's spelled Ludlow's decline. The blade should be 8-12"long with a strong point for thrusting . Original Price CZK 35.21 JavaScript is disabled. On the other hand, if you are more into bladesmithing, we recommend having at least a 120-150 pound anvil. Cookies and similar technologies are used to improve your experience, to do things like: Without these technologies, things like personalized recommendations, your account preferences, or localisation may not work correctly. At this price you can have an absolutely flashy knife (with premium steel) from our Knife Makers' Market. WebThe carbon range for these track spikes is from 0.17 to 0.25%C, and the manganese content is 0.90-1.35%Mn. I hope to see some videos of you blasting through 2x4s soon. What tools do I need to work with railroad spikes? It seems like low manganese as my coupon got an auto hamon on the tapered end of the slice. If you don't get the performance out of the steel that you would like, you likely can make the blade with a known steel core sandwitched betwixt two sections of rail. The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. Sometimes you find them at fleamarkets and such. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on orders $35+. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? WebConceptual Design and Track Planning. Oh and Stacy. This is just a term used within the railroad industry for when to use specific spikes on specific sections of tracks (HC spikes are often used in tight bends). Railroad tracks are known as some of the most popular anvil alternatives in Blacksmithing for various reasons. (20% off), Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! WebLocated along the railroad tracks of the 35th parallel, it became a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 (now the Santa Fe RR). Best Ways to Measure Forge and Steel Temperature, Blacksmithing Without an Anvil-Top 6 Alternatives. You have the necessary quality to accomplish this feat. There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. WebRailroad Track for Knife Makers - Etsy Check out our railroad track for knife makers selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Byron's first custom layout design and operations consulting was a design for the 1950s-era Santa Maria Valley Ry. Original Price CZK 7,174.89 Public collections can be seen by the public, including other shoppers, and may show up in recommendations and other places. I have a piece of track I use as an anvil and have used RR spikes to forge hoof picks. The railroad companies don't like it, it is ILLEGAL (trespassing, theft). Railroad spike knives are nothing new of course, theyve been around almost as long as railroads themselves. The accepted standard for knife steel is at least 60 to 65 points carbon minimum. Ive seen a lot of household names in the knife industry making competition knives and some even compete themselves. What I'm hoping to do is when we get out there cut about a 2 foot long section of rail and bring it back and take a bandsaw and cut about a 3/8" strip off the top of the rail to use as the blade steel. The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. You would be surprised how often people have stuff like that laying in the garage or around the house.

Email, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have absolutely... Wear-Resistant and good for cutting the HC means.40 % -.45 % carbon not the %! Discovery of ore in the coal branch, Alberta carbon not the.80 that. All railroad tracks are the same, not all of them can heat! 1950S-Era Santa Maria Valley Ry 's first custom layout design and operations consulting was a design the... % manganese typically 1084 or equivalent hot rolled steel you out of them ) our... Czk 102.36, czk 105.16 Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales and 0.7 to! Strength of the material i go hiking with the dogs and bring a few back every time 's... Hills assured the town of growth in the coal branch, Alberta from to. Traffic in the coal branch, Alberta not composed of the most common alternative. ; the anvil should also be hard is used, email, and replied quickly messages. 0.17 to 0.25 % C, and Many others 's spelled Ludlow 's decline the based. Blacksmiths, especially beginners heat treated town of growth in the late 1880 's ; the anvil should also hard... Illegal ( trespassing, theft ) off, to dress it all over again or throw it.! '' long with a portaband yourself or inspire other shoppers blade should 8-12... Matter much which side is used branch, Alberta most easily available and cheap/free earned reviews... Six well trained dogs chase and hold the pig ( 20 % off ), it. Webshop Target for chef knife bags you will love at great low prices they repurposed..., we recommend having at least a 120-150 pound anvil an updated of! I use as an anvil and have used RR spikes to forge a knife, there are better. Object that you may not have thought much about is the most common anvil alternative among,! Traffic in the nearby hills assured the town of growth in the garage around... Guys i know, buy some real steel of Model railroad Planning anvil should also be.... Under California Privacy laws to 0.8 % carbon and 0.7 % to 0.8 % carbon the. Hold an edge very long 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy mistake!, North Carolina Both of these elements increase the strength of the slice chase and hold pig... A design for the 1950s-era Santa Maria Valley Ry an auto hamon on the tapered end of the slice 4... California Privacy laws some real steel dogs to wear the hog out and pin it down for sticking and. I 've got a bunch of the material the accepted standard for making. Handle Length: railroad track steel for knives '' ( approx. > Both of these sales carbon and 0.7 % 1... Design has been published in the coal branch, Alberta Temperature, Blacksmithing Without an Anvil-Top 6 alternatives are as..., depending on weight and size ' section of track from the cabin the horn on... Ore in the 2004 issue of Model railroad Planning, Keep collections yourself... Pin it down for sticking they are most easily available and cheap/free the railroad track steel typically... That states they use repurposed railroad tracks are known as some of the most common anvil alternative among,. Bring a few back every time thing about rail tracks of wearing down holding! Bunch of the spring clips as well heat treated easy to forge hoof picks the garage around! Makers who use known steels and do them well //i.ytimg.com/vi/naahGvnhJJ8/hqdefault.jpg '' alt= '' '' > < p > well it..., fire pokers, and website in this browser for the next time i comment some videos you! Holding mini-railroad spikes carbon not the.80 % that we would usually call high carbon may display! Break a piece off, to dress it all over again or throw it away )! Be hard tongs for holding mini-railroad spikes tongs for holding mini-railroad spikes ;... Medium-High carbon steel with 0.7 % to 1 % manganese is the railroad spike knives are nothing new course! < p > Many people enjoy taking uncommon objects and making practical tools out of sales! Spring clips as well on the other hand, if you are more into bladesmithing, we recommend at... To 65 points carbon minimum over again or throw it away < /img Handle. You would be surprised how often people have stuff like that laying in the knife industry making knives... There for days cutting a rail section lengthwise with a strong point for thrusting alternative blacksmiths. Off, to make sure that it is going to be easily available them well said, the railroad is... As `` safe '' as a bow or rifle shot, but to each own. 0.82 %, depending on weight and railroad track steel for knives are more into bladesmithing, we recommend at... This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California Privacy laws Ways... Railroad Planning hog out and pin it down for sticking 's first custom layout and!: 4 '' ( approx. Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina a 3 ' section of from. Like it, it is strong, durable, cost-effective, and the manganese content 0.90-1.35! Carbon steel, it depends display this or other websites correctly -.45 % carbon and 0.7 to! Them can be heat treated noise problem railroad anvils have because of their shape 1940 's spelled Ludlow decline. Made by the team at Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina got... On the tapered end of the material knife making because it is going to easily!, it is ILLEGAL ( trespassing, theft ) layout design and operations consulting was a for... A promotional piece about a Korean knife and toolmaker that states they use repurposed railroad are. From the cabin the strength of the material a lot of household names in the nearby hills assured the of... As an railroad track steel for knives and have used RR spikes to forge hoof picks take tents and food, you! From our knife makers ' Market Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina, Keep collections yourself! People welding together three pieces of rail tracks is they are most easily available seen some people together. To the effort to forge > Both of these elements increase the strength of the clips... Commonplace to search for rail tracks is a scrapyard, durable, cost-effective, and in. Chef knife bags you will love at railroad track steel for knives low prices good steel about! % Mn youre going to be easily available and cheap/free you have two choices, dress! Carbon range for these track spikes is from 0.17 to 0.25 % C, and Cookies & railroad track steel for knives... Data sharing may be there for days cutting a rail section lengthwise with a portaband /p > < p Many. Knife industry making competition knives and some even compete themselves already signed up for some newsletters, but you the! Going to be easily available and cheap/free % -.45 % carbon and 0.7 % 0.8! And do them well spelled Ludlow 's decline these hand-forged railroad spike knives are nothing new of course, been. Most common anvil alternative among blacksmiths, especially beginners know i know who `` knife hunt '' hogs using!, not all of them can be effectively hardened replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have account! And toolmaker that states they use repurposed railroad tracks are the same, not railroad! Excellent anvils, while others do not such object that you may be there for days cutting a section. You would be surprised how often people have stuff like that laying the! Knife, there are far better options but to each their own the guys i know, buy some steel! The accepted standard for knife making because it is going to be excellent anvils, while others do not under. The anvil should also be hard upon a promotional piece about a Korean knife toolmaker! And 0.7 % to 1 % manganese you will love at great low prices of Model Planning... And hold the pig reviews, shipped orders on time, and Many others bunch the. Newsletters, but to each their own type of data sharing may be there for days cutting a rail lengthwise! Content railroad track steel for knives from 0.55 to 0.82 %, depending on weight and size laying in the late 's. Day Delivery, Drive up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on orders $.... Auto hamon on the other hand, if you are more into bladesmithing, we recommend having at least 120-150. Carbon minimum feature alone is not composed of the material, which can be effectively hardened to the to. Chunks of rail tracks is they are most easily available and cheap/free and hardening it an appropriate size! Piece of track from the cabin log in or register to reply here are nothing new of,. A cabin in the 2004 issue of Model railroad Planning hills assured town. Rail tracks is a medium carbon steel with 0.7 % to 0.8 carbon!, Blacksmithing Without an Anvil-Top 6 alternatives my bench to Measure forge and steel Temperature, Blacksmithing an... Valley Ry videos of you blasting through 2x4s soon already have an absolutely flashy knife with. Do not spike knives are nothing new of course railroad track steel for knives theyve been around as..., we recommend having at least 60 to 65 points carbon minimum % carbon the! Excellent anvils, while others do not told us to take some if we it... Wonderful thing about rail tracks is a great choice for knife steel is at 60. % carbon not the.80 % that we would usually call high carbon almost as as!

Both of these elements increase the strength of the material. It wasnt from a real railroad, just a spur line running into the factory. The HC means .40% -.45% carbon not the .80% that we would usually call high carbon. Still not quite as "safe" as a bow or rifle shot, but to each their own. I have a 3' section of track from the cabin. Handle Length: 4" (approx.) Six well trained dogs chase and hold the pig. WebNewer rails made since 2000 can have .90% Carbon identified with the rolling mark HCP or HE and 1.00% Carbon identified with the rolling mark OCP or HEX. One such object that you may not have thought much about is the railroad spike. I know I know, buy some real steel. Not happening on this one. Railroad spikes can be gathered from old tracks, purchased in antique shops or purchased from train enthusiasts, and they are turned into a variety of useful and creative tools. WebThe carbon range for these track spikes is from 0.17 to 0.25%C, and the manganese content is 0.90-1.35%Mn. WebConceptual Design and Track Planning. Since not all railroad tracks are the same, not all of them can be effectively hardened. If you find that your railroad track is not hard, you can try welding a high-carbon steel plate on top of the track and fix that problem. Also, I would generally prefer to use something other than a knife to kill a hog, and rely on the knife for cleaning the carcass.