Lawn mower blade into a knife?

[bikebum1975]

Hey Guys just curious I have an old lawn mower blade got for nothing and I am thining about trying to make a knife out of it no I am not looking for a show piece or anything like that just an everyday knife I can get a torch from a friend to temper it but is it worth it for me to try it? I don't have to much money to go out and buy "real steel" for a knife as this is also the first time I am trying anything like this I want to do it as cheap as possible more or less to get the principal of it down then maybe work my way up to something better at one point. Anyways give me your thoughts and tips on knife making any help is greatly appreciated soon as I get started and have something wort it I will take some pics of it to show off for you guys thanks again
Jim

 

[Miyagi]

Check out British Blades.

I'm sure I saw someone do exactly the same on there just the other day.

It was really well done.

All the best

Liam

 

[CAL]

I guess it all depends on the quality of the mower blade. The one on mine (a two year old flymo) is made of monkey metal and would probably not hold an edge for more than 30 seconds.

Let us know how you get on, its an interesting thought.

 

[Miyagi]

I guess it all depends on the quality of the mower blade. The one on mine (a two year old flymo) is made of monkey metal and would probably not hold an edge for more than 30 seconds.

Let us know how you get on, its an interesting thought.

Hahahahaa, you're right there!!!

I loaned a flymo to a neighbour a few years ago, I got it back after the weekend and the blade looked like a Cadbury's Curly Wurly.

Mind you, he thought it would "hover" over the broken concrete and bits of brick that littered what he called his lawn.

Useless tool.

The flymo wasn't that good either.

Liam

 

[phaserrifle]

I can remember reading a thread on this before, over on EDC forums
link
basically the reconing was that as is, steel from rotary mowers is pretty much useless, as it won't hold an edge. reason being that mower blades are made soft, so they don't shatter when you hit a stone.
for it to be any real use you would have to redo the heat treat, to try and increase the hardness and so the edge holding properties. even so it's still medium carbon steel, not high carbon, so it's not going to be as good as traditional blade steels, and so you'll find yourself needing to sharpen it far more.

I'm reckoning it's easier to get hold of some old files from a car boot or whatever, and turn them into something. but as the mower blades where free, I say go for it! if it goes to pot you can consider it practice, and haven't lost anything from the venture.

 

[bikebum1975]

Thanks guys well guess going back to the scrap bin lol