Circular Saw blade?

[bullsi1911]

Been gone for a while, working, and building some kits for christmas gifts...

But I just sourced an old circular saw blade, and was wondering if this would be a good source to make some little skinners and neck knives from? Anyone ever used a blade like this?

I know that buying new steel is preferable, but I LIKE using salvage to make the knives. My current wood supply is maple facing from old cabinets, using broken drills, old brass and copper pins... It gives the knife a story.

[cricket]

Circular saw blades have been used for a long time. I believe that their L6 steel which is a steel that I want to get more familiar with. I have a 4ft diameter sawmill blade waiting behind the shop, just need to cut it up and make something out of it:nod:

[Bearpaw]

I spent one spring at auctions and bought a dozen old blades, making sure they were solid steel throughout, not a circle of carbon steel on the periphery and soft steel for the body. Using a plasma arc torch I've got a big supply of blade stock leaving the rust pits on the blades for accent. Have fun!

[oljoe]

As with any salvaged metal you really don?t know what you are using.

Many of the old saw blades are L6 if they are not diamond or carbide tipped. Most of those are 4140 or something similar. 4140 is not really knife blade material and won?t hold an edge very long. L6 is good steel and is an excellent ingredient in layered billets if you are into forging.

As you probably know the heat treat is the heart of a good knife and with used steel it is difficult to get that right. If you want to build some knives using the saw blade you should build a couple of knife blades and test them for edge holding and flexibility.

Keep good notes of hardening and tempering procedures and repeat what works the best for that saw blade.

Best of luck

Joe

[snakeman458]

I havw made plenty of knives from saw blades. If you want check out my site. You will see.
I use one for a skinner and it keeps a great edge. later snakeman

[Crex]

I've used plenty of sawblade steel for knives also. The right ones make excellent working blades.
Joe is right, however, you have to test the steel to be sure. Testing is a part of knifemaking so you should get very familiar repeatable testing that gives consistant results. There have been several threads on this topic so do a "Search", kick back and work your brain before you work the steel.
To make and sell or gift a knife you are not totally confident in will make a mark on your integrety. In other words, bad blades kiss and tell!
I enjoy working with unknown steels, some will really surprise you. Serious thinking about what, why, and how a steel item was used will give you some idea as to it's carbon content, so "noggin up".
Enjoy the adventure and have a Merry Christmas.