All About Pocket Knives

I know that lots of knives have been made from files and even sawblades, and I would guess they are of reasonably good steel. How about railroad spikes? I would be skeptical but I know people make knives and axes, etc. from them. Any thoughts?

They're not uncommon. I have one out in the garage.


https://www.etsy.com/market/railroad_spike_knife

tonguerriver,
One of our children gave me an interesting knife made from a R.R. spike years ago. I've never used it for any thing, I'll make a picture later this evening and post it. The handle was made by twisting the head and part of the spike into a spiral then the blade is flattened and shaped into the blade.
Treefarmer

Railroad spikes are tough but mild and therefore soft steel. Will make a pretty knife but won't hold an edge well enough to hardly cut hot butter. Purely for show and not for go. Files and saw blades on the other hand are outstanding. Files are usually in the 1085-1095 range and hold a good edge. Old saw blades make good knives too.

Pablo i disagree. A functional knife with good edge holding can be made from old railroad spikes.
Ray Rantanen is a custom knifemaker in Idaho who makes his own Damascus, etc. but also makes knives from RR spikes. He is one of the top experts in USA to do with metal fatigue (i think). His other job is working on the space program for NASA. i.e. he understands steel.
I bought one of his RR spike neck knives for my son about 10 years ago. My son loves it, says it is a great little knife.
Quote Ray R. regarding the first railroad spike knife he made "for a lark":
" After hardening and tempering, the blade would shave hair and cut through steel rivets by pounding on the back with a hammer and still remained shaving sharp".
http://raysknives.netfirms.com/about.htm
kj

kootenay joe wrote: " After hardening and tempering, the blade would shave hair and cut through steel rivets by pounding on the back with a hammer and still remained shaving sharp".
kj

Really? No impact to blade integrity or sharpness after pounding edge with a hammer on steel rivets?

What diameter rivets? 1/16 inch?

Respect your opinion but quite hard to believe and wrap my head around. My opinion but I respect your also.

Unless I did the test myself, sorry but not buying that.

Jerry

Jerry, it is not my opinion. It is a quote from Ray Rantanen. Read here under "About Railroad Spike Knives": http://raysknives.netfirms.com/currentrailroad.htm
This guy is one of the top experts in USA concerning properties of steel. And he does all his own forging. Look at the size of his forearms ! You would not want to get into a heated dispute with this guy.
Seriously read the page linked to: at least 60 different types of steel in railroad spikes plus trial & error in tempering.
I have talked with Ray. He is the real deal, no BS'er here.
kj

Here's my R.R. spike knife. It was in a box marked "THE EDGE COMPANY, USA".
On their web site I found this knife was available back in 2011 for $150. It was probably made by the late Perry Pearce's grandson Logan Pearce. On the Pearce Knives web site, the knife can be purchased for $55.
It came with a 1/8" thick leather sheath, riveted not stitched, functional not fancy.
I've never used it like about 95% of my knives .
It was interesting to see what different materials are used by Pearce making knives besides the RR spikes. Wire rope, box wrenches, re-bar, tire tools, etc....
Treefarmer

kootenay joe wrote:Jerry, it is not my opinion. It is a quote from Ray Rantanen. Read here under "About Railroad Spike Knives": http://raysknives.netfirms.com/currentrailroad.htm
This guy is one of the top experts in USA concerning properties of steel. And he does all his own forging. Look at the size of his forearms ! You would not want to get into a heated dispute with this guy.
Seriously read the page linked to: at least 60 different types of steel in railroad spikes plus trial & error in tempering.
I have talked with Ray. He is the real deal, no BS'er here.
kj

I did in fact read it. Quote does not mean fact. Down below your qoute from the article is a reference to "Mild" steel rivets he cut through on an anvil..
No deformation or chipping he says. Does not say shaving sharp still. Seems he has two different contradictory sections in that link. Not even a diameter given.

Sorry but let's agree to disagree.

Not question the man's Integrity or his ability and I do respect his expertise and job experience. Just saying. Steel rivets then mild steel in next paragraph, sorry, not buying it and I am entitled to that.


RR spikes vary a lot in the carbon content- I have found about 45 different spikes. I spark test them against known carbon content bars of carbon steel. They range from about .25% up to near .60%. By trying different quench mediums to harden them I have them able to cut through mild steel rivets on the anvil with no deformation or chipping. Of the thousands of RR spikes knives I have made- none have been reported not to do the job intended for them. The proof of any knife is if it performs for the job it was designed and hardened for. They also make excellent wood chisels and scorps for wood carving if tempered correctly.

Are you an English teacher ? marking his paper ?
There is nothing contradictory in what he says unless you want to nit pick. The guy is not an esteemed essayist. He is a steel expert and knife maker by hobby.
You could email him and ask for clarification.Simply pontificating from behind your computer does not add anything factual.
kj

Pontificating? Back at you! Hmmm, whom is the English teacher here. I thought when I stated my opinion and you stated yours, we disagree, does not constitute pontificating.

Nit pick? Hmm, seen that before. Wonder where?

What facts do you have? Heard you ask same question on numerous posts.

Tell you what, might be good idea to stop here.

You speak of facts but with the link, there is no reference to "mild sreel" rivet diameter, etc.

Jerry

Quote: "Tell you what, might be good idea to stop here".
I think so too, thank you.
kj