April 4, 200917 yr Years ago, I found a champion cut-off hardy in a flea market junk box. It had hardly been used. It's only 2 in. tall, but is quite a good size, actually. When I first started smithing, I followed the "bigger is better" philosophy and made myself one from leaf spring.......5 in. tall. I seldom use that one.....it's kinda wobbly when I hammer down on it, though it fits the hardy hole.......it's just too tall. Because of the extra height, I consider it to be more dangerous as well.
April 4, 200917 yr Author The I made today is made out of an old jackhammer piece. It's high carbon i think. I forgot to put a shoulder on it though. But it's roughly 2-2 &1/2 in. It works good. Do you really need to heat treat one of these? If all the things you cut using it will be hot?
April 5, 200917 yr Not necessary to heat treat it for hot cutting. The jack hammer steel will be tough if it was just air cooled after forging. they are not generally a high carbon steel as they are meant to be tough as opposed to hard and will stand up quite well as is. Terry
April 5, 200917 yr I have two commercial hot cuts that are about 2" tall and one that was forged for me by a gentleman named "Snow Smith" who I have not talked to in years. It is about 3" tall and works just fine.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.