There are a number of mower blades available. The standard blade that comes with most mowers is a blade that has both ends slightly bent with the sharp edge only on one side. So when you are mowing the cutting edge is part of the bent edge and both are facing the way the blade turns. In most instances the blades turns clockwise looking from the top of the mower.

 

There are also other blades from different brands that fit the preference of your lawn mower. That is very normal, it actually gives you more options to choose form, but be very careful when choosing one, try not to pick lawn mower blades made out of pot metal because it is very dangerous and it has the highest tendency to break. Be sure to only pick hardened steel lawn mower blades. These type of blades are tougher and can be sharpen many times after it has became dull, so you wouldn't have to buy a new one, it's pretty much economic.

As the root discussion is about using used lawnmower blades as stock to be forged into other things; the alloy and the ability to use blacksmithing methods of heat treat are of greater interest than what your mower "prefers".  Can you specify how to identify the boron alloy blades vs a straight steel blade "in the wild"?

3 hours ago, bchanfcb1987 said:

These type of blades our tougher and can be sharpen many times after it has became dull, so you wouldn't have to buy a new one, it's pretty much economic.

what does this have to do with making a knife?

You're not saying we're SUPPOSED to stay on topic are you Steve?  I mean, what'll I do? 

Welcome aboard New guy, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you'll have a chance of hooking up with members living within visiting distance. Heck might even be some needing mower blades to maintain their lawns. 

The subject of this thread though is using worn out and discarded mower blades as a source of medium carbon steel to make other things. 

Last time I changed a mower blade was in the late 60s and there were a witness mark an pins that made it impossible to mount the blade upside down. 

Frosty The Lucky.

 

Along the same lines, golf course turf mowers have bed knives that seem to be a much higher grade of steel. There is a nice area big enough for a blade between the mounting holes and the cutting edge.

The average golf course have a drum full of used bed knives for all their fairway and greens mowers. They have a finite life and they are discarded. Has anyone determined the steel properties is typical for these.

when I cut one up on my metal band saw it sure seemed a lot tougher than mild steel.

thanks

 

One of my students worked in the maintenance shop for a Golf Course and wanted to forge  knives from the bed knives but was not able to harden them. I believe they are the new boron alloy which would be very tough; but not suitable for blades.

I am green at this and may be a stupid question. I used my grinder and cut a knife out of an old saw blade. That was a year ago and it rusted up something fierce. Living in the Midwest and humidity issues, what can I do to stop this from happening?

Was it made from a mower blade or a saw blade?

Clean the metal after each use and coat it to keep out moisture and oxygen.

IF we are making knives or tools, need to test the sample we are using after hardening and tempering. Nothing less will tell the complete story, and nothing but the complete story will suffice ...Joe

Good Morning Eric,

To stop it from rusting, Don't use a Steel for a baseline. Just kidding!!  You have to figure out what kind of treatment slows down the Rusting. Phosphoric Acid (used in Coca-C---) neutralizes the Rust, it turns the Rust Black. Wash with soap and water to neutralize. Phosphoric Acid is just a slightly stronger Vinegar. It won't damage your clothing and it is water soluble. I use a tin can from the recycle and a small paint brush. I wash out the tin can and wash the brush under a tap. Sometimes Boiled Linseed Oil is a good film, bees wax & BLO, (sometimes with something like a little Kerosene) blended in a double boiler works great (not with an open flame), (application when cold, use a cotton rag). Keep it in a small Glass Jar with a lid (from the recycle). Let the rag open air dry, in a confined rag bucket it may spontaneous combust.

All young men need to make a blade. The sooner you get it out of your system, the sooner you will learn to make productive things.

Neil

Commercial gun blue (cold blue)'s active ingredient is phosphoric acid.  I usually use rubber gloves when using it but I hve never had any problems if it comes in contact with my skin.