February 3, 200818 yr I have a knackered old file that I someday intend to turn into a knife. Could you suggest a likely material that it could be made from? It is carbon steel, from around 1930.
February 4, 200818 yr More than likely it is W-2. This is a water hardening knife but quench it in oil to avoid stress cracking and warpage. It will make a good knife.
February 4, 200818 yr Possibly 1095; could be W... Go with Alan B's advice on hardening. Normalize before hardening. Heat to critical (non-magnetic) and quench quickly in warm oil. Keep a close eye for critical; it's easy to get 'em too hot. Experiment with your temper. Sometimes they want to stay very hard, even when you think you gave it enough. Good luck, Don
February 4, 200818 yr if your putting a lot of hours into the knife it might be worth chopping a bit off the end of the file, (inch or so) and 'test' heat treating it before you do the knife - grind a bit of an edge on it. could save some heart ache !
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.