I am in the process of creating my first knife, actually nearing completion. I chose to forge a railroad spike into a skinner. The blade is formed and ground to near finished. Have not normalised yet but is this the time that it should be treated?

Thanks,

Mike

i dont do much for a rr spike just heat to a bright red and quench in water... it really dosent have enuf carbon to bother with anything more complex...

Make a letter opener out of it Mike it doesn't have enough C to harden.

Find some leaf or coil spring for your second attempt. Both make fine blades and are forgiving in heat treat.

If you'll click on "User CP" and edit your profile to show your location you'll discover all the folk living close enough to get together with. That and we old farts won't have to try remembering who's in the area when we're traveling and need a tasty snack or nap.

Frosty

Frosty

Well, I took Frosty's advice and used a bit of leaf spring from an old truck. Hammered it out and made this beauty. The handle is G-10 and the pins are 1/4 hvac tube. I made and tooled the sheath for my sons Den Leader last year.
http://

Aw shucks Mike. <shuffle shuffle> Nice looking blade and sheath. Well done.

Frosty The Lucky.