Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmontg
My brother pounds old Chevy leaf springs into hard and tough knives, but I'm thinking this doesn't need so much nickel. Nickel would tend to give a softer edge. 5160 itself has no nickel so that may be the issue Carl.
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Quite possibly it. Just not getting what the big deal is that makes this steel "better" in some folks minds. Especially since 5160 is so readily available and less expensive.
I'd like to find out what the old Ford Ranger springs were. Friend of mine had me make him two hog stickers (he's big into hog hunting) from a spring he salvaged from his brother's wrecked Ranger. If it was in the 5160 category it had a "kicker" alloy of some kind. Those two knives were both tough and stayed screaming sharp for a whole season of stabbing and dressing hogs. Forged more like 52100 - bit stiff under the hammer, more so than 5160. I HT'd them like they were 5160 and they came out very nice.
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Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith
Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member
Knifemakers Guild, voting member
Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts
C Rex Custom Knives
Blade Show Table 6-H
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