High Quality Chainsaw Bars Husqvarna Toys Hockfire Saws

Fundraiser for Randy and The Bubba

Junk Meister

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What kind of metals has he been working with?
Edit: asking because I've been on the hunt for a marking knife and ended up just purchasing one made in 1095 steel. But I'm still on the hunt for a harder steel.

My dream would be one in M390 as I have two knives and they have been spectacular for edge retention. I've looked at making one myself but raw stock only comes in thin sheets from the suppliers I've looked at. (Unless you fork out money for a big sheet)
Back in the days (40 t/- years) circle sawmill blade steel was in demand for knife makers. Usually it was from wrecked blades that any salvageable shanks were chunked out for reuse to repair. Most common are 8/9 gauge some 6/7 gauge. diameter runs 36" to 60".preferred manner is to break instead of grind to save the steels integrity (heat). Large/big Bandsaw blades were another demand item.
 

ammoaddict

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Back in the days (40 t/- years) circle sawmill blade steel was in demand for knife makers. Usually it was from wrecked blades that any salvageable shanks were chunked out for reuse to repair. Most common are 8/9 gauge some 6/7 gauge. diameter runs 36" to 60".preferred manner is to break instead of grind to save the steels integrity (heat). Large/big Bandsaw blades were another demand item.

I knew a guy that made knives from 12" bastard files.
 

Firewood Hoarder

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I knew a guy that made knives from 12" bastard files.
I have heard that older files make good knife blanks. The older Nicholson files were of a very high carbon steel and hardened all the way through... I'd be concerned about getting them too hot though, maybe stay in the red, dull orange range for working it.

Edit: obviously the heating will remove the heat treatment of the file, but too much heat can decarbon the steel and change the grain structure to something very brittle
 
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Absolution

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older Nicholson files were of a very high carbon ste

Yep, tool steel, Same reason they used the older saws blades that predated carbide teeth.
I have a draw knife that I made out of one of an old saw blade, It flexes so it makes rounding corners pretty easy.
 

Junk Meister

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Back in the days (40 t/- years) circle sawmill blade steel was in demand for knife makers. Usually it was from wrecked blades that any salvageable shanks were chunked out for reuse to repair. Most common are 8/9 gauge some 6/7 gauge. diameter runs 36" to 60".preferred manner is to break instead of grind to save the steels integrity (heat). Large/big Bandsaw blades were another demand item.
A demo diamond blade has a nice ring (Some of them) 14" is common some of the ones for hiway cutting control joins might be impressive and larger. heavier plate. A coke and coal forge has a way of making the steel ?tougher? when tempered.
 

ammoaddict

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I have heard that older files make good knife blanks. The older Nicholson files were of a very high carbon steel and hardened all the way through... I'd be concerned about getting them too hot though, maybe stay in the red, dull orange range for working it.

Edit: obviously the heating will remove the heat treatment of the file, but too much heat can decarbon the steel and change the grain structure to something very brittle

I think he used a grinder. Belt sander and polishing wheel. I was a lot younger when he told me about it. I only saw one of them. It looked good.
 

Junk Meister

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There is a lot to be read on tempering steel. light straw at twilight or cherry red in day light water or oil quenching, drawing the temper to an edge before quenching
 

Loony661

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Yep, tool steel, Same reason they used the older saws blades that predated carbide teeth.
I have a draw knife that I made out of one of an old saw blade, It flexes so it makes rounding corners pretty easy.
One of my favorite knife edges is D2 tool steel. The other favorite is ATS-34…
 

Mastermind

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What kind of metals has he been working with?
Edit: asking because I've been on the hunt for a marking knife and ended up just purchasing one made in 1095 steel. But I'm still on the hunt for a harder steel.

My dream would be one in M390 as I have two knives in it and they have been spectacular for edge retention. I've looked at making one myself but raw stock only comes in thin sheets from the suppliers I've looked at. (Unless you fork out money for a big sheet)
He's been making paring knives out of bandsaw blades. He made another from rebar, and the one he is working on now is from a transmission input shaft. As for what type of steel....I have no idea.

20240107_100946.jpg20240124_092608.jpg20240113_172458.jpg
 

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He's been making paring knives out of bandsaw blades. He made another from rebar, and the one he is working on now is from a transmission input shaft. As for what type of steel....I have no idea.


Does he have any of the bandsaw left, enough to make a boning knife?

Also from those photo's they really remind me of my old butcher shop blades.

If he's interested in a sell you can PM me or send him my number. I'm thinking of present for my brother.

EDIT: I also have some decently figured live oak off cuts of something I'm building and I'd like it to be the handle. I'll send him enough to mess up on so he's not messed about if something happens with it.
 
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Mastermind

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Does he have any of the bandsaw left, enough to make a boning knife?

Also from those photo's they really remind me of my old butcher shop blades.

If he's interested in a sell you can PM me or send him my number. I'm thinking of present for my brother.

EDIT: I also have some decently figured live oak off cuts of something I'm building and I'd like it to be the handle. I'll send him enough to mess up on so he's not messed about if something happens with it.
I'll talk to him and ask. We have plenty of broken bandsaw blades. LOL
 

Woodrow

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Drum Roll Please!

The following list is the 33 winners and 10 alternates. When your name comes up you will be tagged in this thread and will have 48 hours to make your choice. If you don't respond your chance will be passed on to the next person drawn. This fundraiser was a great success and a much needed shot in the arm for Randy and The Bubba. Thank you to all the generous people who made cash donations and to all of those that donated prizes! This is what a great community does and I am proud to be a very small part. Congratulations to all the winners!

1.) Bruce B. - @Gentleman
2.) Daniel M. - @AlfA01
3.) Thomas Chiconas
4.) Michael M. - @mainer_in_ak
5.) Aaron O. - @Roadfxr
6.) Kevin D. - @Moparmyway
7.) @leadfarmer
8.) Justin R. - @cowroy
9.) Mike S. - @ZERO
10.) David B. - @davidwyby
11.) Gary J. - @GCJenks204
12.) Al F. - @drf256
13.) Jason G. - @jgreene70
14.) John W. - @John Wargo
15.) Ken - @nbbt
16.) Rudy R.
17.) Wayne R.
18.) Billy C. - @Billy Currie
19.) Sean A. - @Catbuster
20.) Ed K. - @redline4
21.) Dennis C. - @Bilge Rat
22.) Joshua S. - @Chainmale
23.) Greg N. - @Greg Newman
24.) Brian S. - @2000ssm6
25.) @Farmchuck
26.) Daniel P. - @slasher
27.) @JimBear
28.) Nic H. - @stihl livin
29.) Lawrence S.
30.) Neal M.
31.) Chris B. - @CJ Brown
32.) Tim Strunk
33.) Erick M.

Alternates

1.) @jacob j.
2.) David G. - @Powerstroke Cowboy
3.) Andrew M. - @The Firewood Hoarder
4.) Tracy B. - @ammoaddict
5.) Eric F. - @Eakf
6.) Michael B. - @3browns
7.) Doug Philbeck
8.) Nate R. - @Nate.
9.) Bryan S.
10.) Mike B. - @Glock37
 
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