Weld Hard Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hello all, awhile back i saw a knifw on Google images that had a dog star pattern. How is that done? Is it a variant of the ladder? Thank you for your insight. Secondly, is there any other name for 15N20? The guys in the local metal shops seem to be clueless as to what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwilliams Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 15n20 is not something you are going to find in most metal shops as its a specialty steel. Best to get some from Kelly cupples or Admiral steel. I personally use Kelly and am always pleased, upside is he will shear it to the sizes you need. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Best source for 15N20 is Kelly Cupples you can reach him here, Kelly Cupples / octihunter@charter.net 2807 Butterfield Rd. Yakima Wa. 98901 509-949-5231 He also has other steels ask him for a steel list and he will email you a current steel list with prices. Also orders over $100 he ships freee to the continental US:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Fredeen Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 L6 is an alloy very similar to 15N20 and will produce similar results, but as has been mentioned, the local suppliers probably wont have either. Best to just order some, or if you can find some old band saw blades (not the bi-metallic) they have a chance of being either L6 or 15N20. As for the dog star pattern, yes, it is like a modified ladder pattern, with the cuts moving radially outward from a single point of origin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 (edited) If there is a sawmill near you that runs bandsaws - most do these days- get in touch with the saw filer. Most mills are running blades made from Uddeholm 15N20 steel. Most filers won't touch it if it isn't 15N20. They generally just throw out old blades as they clutter up their shops and make it look like they are behind in their work. Most likely they'll give it to you. On the down side, you'll most likely need a way to cut it up and you'll have to contend with a large number of sharp teeth just waiting to bite you. My day job is as a saw filer. I'd offer to send you some steel for the cost of shipping, but I still owe another forumite that didn't get his steel when I moved. Just noticed you are in Canada. Shipping form me would most likely cost you more than buying it new. Edited November 8, 2008 by Ecart location Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azIRonSmith Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 You don't need to cut the bandsaw blade, just put in in a vise and bend 90degrees one way. I use a hammer to bend it over at the top of the jaws. It will make a nice clean break at the vise jaw line. Use gloves cause those teeth are still sharp. If you don't have a vise handy, you can always bend it over itself and step on it to snap it. Of course, watch yer feet/legs/hands and other body parts. It's hard/brittle enough that it will break at that point rather than bend. Of course the high carbon is what you were looking for in the first place. If it simply just bends over easily and does break, you may have a bi-metal blade. The tips are carbide but the bandsaw body is mild steel. No need keeping that. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Azironsmith, No way your going to do that with the bandsaw blades I have they are .090" thick and are nearly a foot wide. that will work fine with small bandsaw blades like you would have at home. These coils are about 5' diameter to give you an idea of the bandsaw blades you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Hi Mike, have those blades been cut and rolled into that coil? That's what it looks like to me. I generally cut mine into strips of around 4 feet long. I use two different blades. The small one is 30' 6" x 8" w x 16 gauge, or .065. The large one is 36' 6" x 11" x .078 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Ecart I have not cut on those yet they are just as they came from the mill. I do know one was broke when it hit a T post that was drove into the tree not sure why the other broke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weld Hard Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 I have a plasma cutter. That thing will chop up to an inch of steel or more. Will that thing contaminate the metal too much with slag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Plasma cutters make quick work of my saw blades as long as there is no rust on the blade. No, it won't contaminate the steel. I'd love to have a plasma cutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 To cut large band saw blades, use a zip disc in a 4.5 inch grinder. Just score with the disc (close to 1/2 way through), then snap in two. Works like a champ for me! I use a belt grinder to take off the teeth. If you don't have one, you can also cut lengthwise with the zip disc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Zip disc works great also. But caution. I am wearing a scar on the inside of my right forearm from snapping off a piece we had almost cut through about 7years ago. When the piece broke free (we were cutting off a small piece) my arm came down on a sharp barb that was more than ready to leave its mark. The guy who was doing the cutting- a French-speaking Canadian as a matter of fact- had a choice word or two when he saw the cut on my arm. Kinda funny, but it could have been worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonjic Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 (edited) The 'dog star' pattern is indeed a modified ladder, cut it in a fan shape. get your billet somthing near knife shape before you grind it and forge it to finished thickness, all forging of the blade profile will ruin the pattern! It gives a beautiful pattern for next to no effort! One of the best examples of this pattern I have seen was forged by Mr Jerry Fisk . edit.... link here, scroll down to see a couple of variations on the pattern, be careful not to drool on your keyboard with this link! http://www.fisk-knives.com/National_Living_Treasure_Series.html Edited November 13, 2008 by John N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weld Hard Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 That Mr. Fisk sure has it down... his knife is in fact the one where I first saw the dog star pattern and have liked it ever since. Thank you for the link btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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