I have a vague memory of asking this one time, but just to be sure, I'm going to ask it again here. Sorry if my question is ignorant or has been answered before on this site.
Some time ago, my dad brought home a giant box of combination wrenches that were given to him. The majority, if not all of them, are from Craftsman and Allen. I'd like to be able to utilize the duplicate wrenches (or those we have no use for) and turn them into something resembling a fishing knife. From what I know, the combination wrenches are chrome and nickel-plated and drop-forged from chromium-vanadium steel, and to be able to safely forge them, you have to strip the chrome plating off.
My issue is that I'm confused on how to strip the plating. I've heard people talk about grinding it off, but I feel like doing so is going to result in me losing a lot of material and using a die grinder may not be perfect inside and around the ring part. Can anybody give me some tips for grinding or alternative methods for removing the chrome? Also, is forging cro-van steel safe, and if so, does anyone have any tips on forging, hardening, and tempering it? Thanks. (Keep in mind I'm on as tight of a budget as possible.)