civilwarblacksmith Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 I was given a ditch witch tooth and was wondering if anyone has ever made a knife from one. It is extremely high carbon. I'm looking to find out how to harden and heat treat it if I get another one. I started making one today at the Mason Dixon Steam show when the hurricane finally blew in and dropped the fly we were working in. Not sure if it was cooled enough before it got wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I've never made a knife from one, I do have a bucket tooth though from a payloader that I haven't done anything with yet...so I would be interested to see how it goes with your tooth. Maybe just clean it up so you can check if it has any small cracks from rapid cooling from getting wet. If it still looks OK I would continue. But as for hardening and tempering, it may be somewhat tricky if you haven't done some testing with a sample first. If you decide to finish forging the knife, try to get your hands on another of the same tooth so you can experiment with it without wrecking your blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Fredeen Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 You might try contacting Ditch Witch to see if you can find out what the steel alloy of their digging teeth is. Some quick research told me that the Charles Machine Works, Inc produce the teeth for Ditch Witch. 1959 West Fir Avenue Perry, Oklahoma 73077 U.S.A. Telephone: (580) 336-4402 Toll Free: (800) 654-6481 Fax: (580) 572-3527 Web site: Ditch Witch Bucket teeth and anything that works in the dirt is usually made from a wear resistant CrMnMo alloy. I havent been able to pinpoint a specific alloy used in bucket teeth or digging teeth, but a lot of wear resistant steels are air hardening, there are a few that oil harden as well, but you probably have an air hardening steel. Hopefully someone will drop in who has worked around/with these things and knows the alloy or most common one used in these applications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I spark tested that bucket tooth that I mentioned...and it sparked like mild steel...??? I'm thinking it must be some type of alloy for toughness or whatever, but doesn't appear to have much carbon. Will be tricky to heat treat without knowing what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civilwarblacksmith Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 The fellow I got it from is a member of our blacksmithing guild and said it would be good for knifemaking. He learned alot from Bill Moran in the 30yrs he knew him, so I can put my trust in him that it is good. Reb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civilwarblacksmith Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Ok, finally finished the ditchwitch knife. It turned out fairly nice for being the second knife fully completed. The blade is 5 1/2" and the handle is 4 1/4" with sambar stag handle. Handmade brass guard and buttplate that was piened on. Is there anything I should put on the handle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 My hand.....couldn't help it.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhunter Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 I got to see it up close it's nice !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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