KjB

Thanks for your comments, but this is going in the wrong direction: my initial problem is not the forging itself or the heat treatment, but where to salvage hardenable steel in everyday's objects

That is difficult: with subzero temperatures and ice/snow everywhere half the year, then barbecue ban during the dry months, that leaves a very small window to make fires outside, which is when I do it But that is not the main problem anyway, I survived that way until now My main issue was about sourcing material for knifemaking from common "objects"

Thanks for your advice and encouragements, lots of ideas of possible materials to use, now I have to see what is available and convenient I do no live on a boat, however most of the building is made of wood My knife making activities take place in a corner of the living room, so it has to remain quite tidy, clean and quiet, and obviously no heat treat there Eventually we'll have a house with a proper workshop, and things will be different

I live in an flat, so no forge there unfortunately, and no hammering or noisy electric tools either It is only when I am on holiday elsewhere in the summer that I can have a fire and heat treat As for scrap yards here there are mostly European cars, with coil springs which are no good for me I have to look for more accessible steel in more common locations I heard about a list of things to salvage hardenable steel from, that was supposed to be maintained on this website, but I could not find it (only mentions here and there of some possible materials), any of you guys know about it?

Irondragon ForgeClay Works Thanks I know about some auto parts (leaf spring, etc.), but the problem is that I have limited means, not access to a proper forge (only a small one, during the summer) or even less to a power hammer, so the material has to be already in a usable shape, plate or bar

Hi Guys I was told about this forum very recently and I am amazed at how much of useful information is available, a little overwhelmed even To be honest I do not own a forge, and do not really "forge" iron, but i like working with metal and fire A few years ago I started to make knives using steel bars that I bought online, for stock removal mainly, with hand tools: that takes time, allowing me to relax and "develop" my design as things progress That was already expensive (in addition to shipping costs everything imported is heavily taxed) but now I realized that there are "every day's materials" which could be sourced locally and are perfectly usable for knife-making, thereby contributing to save money and the planet at the same time So, if you have suggestions I am all ears Regards KjB