chuckster2.0 Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) This is what my first railroad spike knife currently looks like. I went to a local railroad and found 20 spikes lying around or so loose in the track that a toddler could pick it out. This actually is not my first attempt. My first attempt ended up melting slightly which I did not believe could happen with the forge I had built. I also had help from a friend since I do not have tongs that allow you to hold in one hand with out the blade slipping out. He held it and I hammered out the shape and told him where to move it. I still have to harden the blade a bit and put a handle on it. I am going to try to make my own stablized wood but what kind is proving hard to figure out. any criticism would be appreciated as I have much to learn. Also, handle material suggestions would be helpful Sorry obout the picture quality, but all I have is my laptop webcam. Edited August 28, 2009 by chuckster2.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnewberry Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Looks like it would take a lot of pounding to get where you are from a RR spike. Good work. That knife has good lines. For handles. I like micarta on hard using knifes and woods like rosewood, walnut, desert ironwood on fancier blades myself. If you can stabilize the wood then just about anything will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 DO NOT remove spikes from the track even if ready to fall out. You can be charged with terrorism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster2.0 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 Seriously!? Because the spikes I pulled out would have fallen out the next time the train came anyway. If they charge me with terrorism then they need to lighten up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yea3114u Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Just be careful at the railroad. Taking anything from it is against the law. Even if the spike is laying on the ground covered up by gravel.They frown upon trespassing. Safest bet would be to go there next time you see workers on it and ask them, they are usually pretty generous esp. if you throw a knife their way. But waiting isnt always and option is it ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 search the archives....u can get in big trouble fooling around rr....they take that kind of stuff real serious....all u need is some nit wit to squeel on ya .... but look back in the archives there are a bunch of threads on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedwards Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Seriously!? Because the spikes I pulled out would have fallen out the next time the train came anyway. If they charge me with terrorism then they need to lighten up. Chuckster2.0, Listen to these folks. Terrorism, theft, trespass, vandalism, it all depends on what the RR wants the local prosecutor to charge. Technically it's the prosecutor's call but in these cases they listen to the property owners. Even if the spike fell out it still belongs to the RR. Whatever is charged, as micky mouse as you think it may be, even if you win the trial it will really screw up your whole week. Don't take the chance. Call the RR first and ask permission. If you get it get it in writing. Good luck. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I walked to some stores this past week that had RR tracks in front of them. Saw some spikes lying in the gravel, but was not even slightly tempted. Much too much risk to even think of picking one up. Just plain not worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster2.0 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 okay, I will not do that again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Mcmaster Carr. No legal problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yea3114u Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 In case you are wondering McMaster-Carr is what Donnie is referring to. Btw what you have there looks good. What scales you planning to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster2.0 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share Posted August 29, 2009 In case you are wondering McMaster-Carr is what Donnie is referring to. Btw what you have there looks good. What scales you planning to use? I am leaning towards denim micarta since I want the handle to have a high polish and I don't have the money to get the wood stabilized. I will always stabilize the wood because I don't have the patience to care for the wood in the dry Colorado air. Micarta is cheaper and something I can make. Not only that but it is much stronger than wood. http://www.fendleyknives.com/micarta_tough.htm I also find it as beautiful as wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yea3114u Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Cool. Check out Ariel Salaverria's stuff if you haven't already. He makes his own micarta and has some how to's under the tutorial section. Look forward to seeing it finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckster2.0 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share Posted August 29, 2009 Hey I checked it out. He has a lot of different ways of making it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Thanks for the link. I have it bookmarked now. Howie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmeineke Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 In case you are wondering McMaster-Carr is what Donnie is referring to. Btw what you have there looks good. What scales you planning to use? Does anyone know what the type of steel is for the spikes sold by McMaster-Carr? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 $7.60 per Pack of 5 ?! that's cheaper than one used spike! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmeineke Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Yeah - great price. Just wish I knew what they were made of :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfshieldrx Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 small spikes, the kind used on narrow guage rail or mining rail? Saw a couple of small knives made from these and really liked. Also read (don't remember where) that the small spikes are higher in carbon than even the "HC" railroad spikes. thanks...bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreenMan Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Or you do what I do and pick them up off of deactivated tracks. (And the occasional random ones laying in the gravel by my work places ;-) .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horseshoes711 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I get my spikes from sections of RR ties that have been cut and used as fenceposts. hawaii hasn't had a railroad in many decades. I agree with the idea that it's not worth the risk of removing spikes from existing RR property. You can buy un-used spikes on ebay for as low as $1-$2 ea. Impressive blade, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWCarlson Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I get my spikes from sections of RR ties that have been cut and used as fenceposts. hawaii hasn't had a railroad in many decades. I agree with the idea that it's not worth the risk of removing spikes from existing RR property. You can buy un-used spikes on ebay for as low as $1-$2 ea. Impressive blade, though. As someone mentioned earlier (and I order some today) you can get them new from McMaster-Carr for that price: 1 Pack 97897A779 Plain Steel Railroad Spike 9/16" Size, 5-1/2" Length, Packs of 5 $6.57 1 Pack 97897A818 Plain Steel Railroad Spike 5/8" Size, 6" Length, Packs of 5 $7.60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.