Drifter Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I seem to break several over a span of time tapping stainless. It helps to serve me hummble pie . Would they make a good steel for a knife blade? Drifter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommerr Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Most taps are M2 tool steel. M2 has a very critical heat treatment. I do not recommend using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 The advertisement at the top of this screen for taps indicated that they had two quality level: HSS and Carbon Steel. If you can find the carbon steel type, they might make a decent blade. I would guess you would treat them like a high carbon steel and oil quench them and experiment with the temper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifter Posted July 5, 2009 Author Share Posted July 5, 2009 Thanks for the quick replies. I am just getting started in this addiction. Later as I have learnned some I am hoping to do some damacus steel blades and that would be my main intent on using the taps. Drifter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I do not know of a maker using broken taps for blades. There is no doubt someone. Like most things in this world it may be best for you to give it a try. Make a blade from a tap and see how and if it works and let us know/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Budd Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 the best thing to do is try it and see! at best you get a blade that works and at worst you get a broken bit of steel and the experience. I've turned old drill bits into small blades and they worked fine. Any steel can be reforged and heat treated, just some are harder to reforge and heat treat than others! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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