I was fooling around and came up with an idea for a hat or coat hanger, I'm sure someone else has already done it, but it was new to me. And it was fast and easy.

I marry them up with old horseshoes to make wall hangers for people who like the "rustic" look (see photo). That's more welding than forging really, but a great use for discarded material.

I often use them for shanks when I make my own hardie tools.

I made a knife and I'm planning to do some forks & spoons. The second picture is one of examples I found online. Unfortunately, none of this is my work, but it serves as great inspiration. Notice the miniature post-vise in the upper right hand corner. Awesome!

If you draw them out and put a "J" bend in them, the head makes a serviceable coat hook with no sharp edges. Before you bend, you can get all kinds of artistic with the drawn-out end. Make divots with a ball peen hammer and punch the centers out for mounting holes.

Edited January 30, 200917 yr by Junksmith
Clarification

I made a pair of scroll tongs from a couple of them

Woody,
The thing is that they are Federal Property! No scrap yards in my area will buy ANY railroad steel, period. I do however aligin my feelings with yours...get some good steel...much better in all ways.
Woodreaux

I don't think they are federal property but it is a felony to tamper with ANY railroad. All the Railroads are privately owned and will sell their metals for scrap, at least out here on the west coast. I purchased a whole keg of spike from the local scrap yard last year. Also if you really want to be "legal" you can buy them from Mcmaster Carr McMaster-Carr

Here is a few items that I have made. A steamed crab cracker/knife; door knocker; coat and hat hanger I have in my shop; and a plant hook. I also have 2 ladels made from spikes.

Here's a knife,hawk and cobra,used a ton of em-Regards Butch

They also make great steak flippers,spoons,etc--

Though I don't have a picture, I think one of the neatest pieces of artwork I have seen was when someone carved a train engine from a rr spike. I have seen a few of those.

a sooon on one end an a fork on the outher end with a twist in the middle for reatctnent ,(sp)

As they are a mid carbon steel, the can be very useful. I make big meat forks and knives from them.

Card holder from rr spike

I made this candle holder last night.
The basic idea came from Trenton over at purgatoryironworks.

YouTube - candleholder

toothpicks for lions.

I also forge weld 136 of them together to make ultra awesome super duper kick butt ninja/saxon/hand and a half dagger/broad swords.

Which of course I use to combat Zombies. I live in a rough neighborhood in Ohio.

Phil,

Did you really forge weld 136 of them together? I would be very interested in seeing a picture of that!

LOL no not really. I like to stir the pot around here. It would make a pretty wacky Zombie chopper however!!!!

Here are some pics of my finished candleholder.

Here a couple of snakes I have made over the years

i recently drew 8 of them out to about 16 in in leingth for tent pegs!