bembrey Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 I have read countless threads and articles about RR spike head markings and have found a lot of interesting information... but what I haven't found is what the markings on the these spikes denotes... I have about 100 of these. Regardless of what it means, they'll make good trowels, coat hooks, hat racks, etc. I'm not so much into making knives and I know that regardless of head markings, RR spikes make nice novelty knives, not so much quality working knives. Thanx for any information anyone may have concerning these markings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredW Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Here is a link to the bladeforums where the markings on spikes are explained. It also has a link to a website with more info. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/343476-Head-Markings-and-Carbon-Content-of-Railroad-Spikes According to the thread the HC does mean high carbon with tolerences of .2 to .3 percent carbon content. I used to be concerned about carbon content of the spikes but since they are not high enough to really make any kind of good knife I just treat them all like low carbon. I dont attempt to harden them anyway so I don't pay any attention to carbon content. Most who make knives etc., with them don't really pay a lot of attention to that either. They can be hardened though not enough to make a good knife that will hold an edge for any amount of time. Still fun to play with though. Fred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Good Morning, I spoke to a fellow that used to work for the company in Vancouver that made railroad spikes. He said there were only 2 producers of spikes in Canada. In Canada the spikes that have the large 'V' on the head were made in Vancouver and the ones that have a large 'H' were made in Hamilton. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crashresq Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Neil... that's interesting. I'm guessing there aren't a lot of companies that make RR spikes any more and to think that the ones in Okmulgee Oklahoma came from Vancouver... kind of cool :) These come off of a little industrial feeder line that was reworked about a year ago. I spoke with some of the BNSF guys that work the line and they said to take all I can pick up... as long as they are not in a tie! Also have access now to tie plates and track... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 You will be amazed how good a knife can be made and how well it will hold an edge if you harden in Super quench then draw a temper to 400 degrees F. I have to sharpen my wife's Case more often than I do my knives made from 1/2 a horse shoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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