Alex Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 I'm a smithing enthusiast with the most basic set up in my backyard. I know a bit about this and that when it comes to smithing so it's great to have a place like this where I can ask questions. Due to this poor info of mine, my main source of steel for forging lately has been crowbars or flat bars (aka pry bar) which I draw out to the proper dimensions. I figure it's a high carbon steel (maybe 1040?), but I'm wondering if anybody out there could give me more accurate info or even just confirm this. Oh, and if it helps, I use it for blades, small and large. Any info appreciated. Thanks, Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Murch Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 It varies greatly. I've had some that were about 1040, some higher. Some junkyard steel charts say 1080. Check out my album in the gallery titled "Wood Choppers and more" I have some pictures in there of tomahawks I've made from large crow bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 Well it's good to know they're somewhere in the high carbon steel range suitable for blades/choppers. That axe looks great and gives me some ideas. Did you have to do any welding to make it, or did you just punch a hole in the crowbar (for where the handle fits through)? Thanks, Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Murch Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 yep, just slit a hole, then drifted it. No problem, Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GobblerForge Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I don't know what crow bars are made of, but I made a center punch out of one back in 91. I have never had to re-point it. Gobbler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubal-cain Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Do a spark test. Anvilfire has a great page on how to do this (Blacksmiths guide to using junk yard steels : Using recycled steel or steels of unknown pedigree) as well as a chart. For finite determinations grind the material in question and materials of known composition to find matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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