* Believe me! I worked one summer in my early summer building rail track switches for Canadian Pacific RR out of Thunder Bay.
At that price, 'saving' the small price of brand tool steel bar stock, (at roughly $3 - $5) honestly just does not make any sense.ĭo check my general information on custom bladesmithing: The more elaborate (higher skill and attention to detail) versions run into the $100 - $200 (US) range however. This may be a consideration for the cheapest / simplest (usually also least skill employed) versions. Or more likely - it is because rail spikes are easily picked up along the tracks for free. Taken all together, the only reason I can envision for using a rail spike as starting material for a blade may be the knob of the original spike's head. It does make me wonder why anyone would put so much time andĮffort - into what is an inferior material? Of course this is the part of the metal spike being forged into the blade itself. The body of the spike would certainly be cushioned by the surrounding wooden tie. Certainly this must produce considerable shock / stress into the same area (joint of head to shaft. Which is repeatedly pounded by passing trains. The purpose of a rail spike is to secure a section of rail track.This may produce shearing force to the area joining head to body of the spike. The process of hammering it down into a hardwood (typically oak) rail tie does involve in the application of considerable force as it is driven in *.Even at a 'low medium' carbon content, a *used* rail spike has been subjected to stress in its normal working life. (And both have sold btw.)Īnother thing to consider : New or Used material?Īll these makers stressed in their description these were HC marked spikes. Sievers (?) (shows as #19 on search)Īs far as you can tell from a photo on Etsy - those both look like very nice pieces, in terms of design, forge work and finishing. 'Typical' rail spike knife - here by Salem Straub (shows as #2 on search) Go and search Google Images : 'railroad spike knife'. I personally consider making knives from rail spikes as a kind of a beginner's trick. More important is 'how long will it *keep* that edge?'. The question should not be 'how sharp is it?' (a function of care with polishing). At that size limit, normally use of a higher carbon range is indicated.ĭo also remember that you can make a piece of paper 'sharp' enough to cut your finger. The amount of raw material on a rail spike will limit the finished cutting edge to something in the range of 4 - 6 inches.
With a box cutter, which is razor sharp, but breaks with the least amount of force to it. You can hack down a tree with it, but it does not stay sharp all that long. This refers directly to what I at least call 'the Bladesmith's Dilemma' :Īs you increase * hardness * (via more carbon), you also increase * brittleness *.Ĭompare a typical machette at about 0.50 % carbon. Any knife expected to holdĪ decent working edge should be at least the range. The second number of those specifications is 1/100 of percent carbon. The problem with rail spikes as a starting material is that the highest Heat and pound the ends into steak knives and or cheese knives? Your items just need to be picked up before close of business.I have numerous rail spikes that I was hoping I could bring to you to If you are in town for the day or dinner, just let us know. We do take your telephone number and text or call when your item is ready. If it is a particularly busy day, our return times will run longer. Kindly keep in mind that we are working with natural materials and novice customers that can be unpredictable.
Wands, Rune Pendants and Candy Canes and Ornaments are clear coated and ready to go shortly after you finish forging. A drink inside at the Cass River Grill or a Beignet at N'Orlins and you should be ready to go after 15 to 30 minutes. Horseshoe Knives are generally ready faster. We recommend a quick tour around River Place Shops and re-hydration after your experience, while you wait for the knife to be finished. Plan on a minimum of 2 hours before your blade is ready to take home.ĭaggers and Railroad Spike Knives can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour after your experience to be ready to be picked up. Adventure Knives and Blacksmith Knives require a tempering cycle while you customize your sheath.
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