Got some steel, what now?

[stinkymilo]

I've manage to get hold of some steel in the form of four 4ft long road pins. These are used for setting out new road levels and are extremely strong and heavy. The picture is of a section that I cut today. How do I know/find out if this is any good for making knives? If it is suitable and anybody would like some just pm me.

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ATB


Stinky

 

[Shing]

The most reliable method to test whether a steel is good for knife making is to heat it to orange heat and quench it in oil or water. After its cooled, test it by trying to file it, if the file digs in, its not hard and would not make a good knife, if the file skates off, then its hard and will make a knife.

 

[stinkymilo]

Cheers Shing,

Would I be able to achieve the necessary temperature by using charcoal bricks in the bbq?

Stinky

 

[longshot]

stinky if your using charcole you will need to provide an air supply like you would in a forge charcole alone won't get hot enough to heat the steel.

my .02

dean

 

[running bare]

for the air supply you could use a hairdryer.

 

[stinkymilo]

Many thanks guys.
That's a very impressive set up you've got Shing I've got a feeling I may be contacting you when my birthday comes round again!!

ATB

Stinky