Hello All,I have been given a few RR spikes that are stamped HC and was wondering if I could forge them into a 'hawk. Will it harden if the edge was thin enough ? Will there be enough mass to fuller the edge wide enough ? If I get a chance I'll forge this weekend but still would like some advice.

here you go Dennis, this is a demo that I`ve used..fairly easy to do with basic blacksmith experience.
www.anvilfire.com/iForge/index.htm (http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/index.htm)

I've not seen a RR spike yet that will harden to what I consider a useable edge. Even the super quenches won't get them there. Often times folks think that the "WHC" stands for Water Hardening Carbon, and that the "HC" stands for High Carbon. Not so. Both of these marks are the manufacturers markings.
I've made dozens of spike hawks, and will always let folks know that I don't consider them useable as a tool.

I think on the Neo-Tribal forums they mention that HC on the spike stands for .3-.4 % carbon, the unmarked ones are less

I spoke with a family friend that worked for the railroad for his entire career.

He told me that in "sharp" corners on the tracks they use spikes that have a higher sheering strength. Apparently they have a little more carbon, but he doesn't think they would make much for a cutting tool...just a neat novelty.

And Ed should know...so I'll take these two fine gents word on it and just make combat letter openers out of them ;)

Nick

I would write back more often but I have a hard time logging on with webtv. I tried the spike 'hawk and it looks decent. It is a bit small due to lack of mass. It didn't get knife hard when quenched but for a 'hawk it's probably hard enough. It felt stiff under the hammer and always cooled off quickly due to lack of mass. I think the next one I'll split the end and forge weld a chunk of L6 in there. Ron, that demo was very good, wish I saw it first.