You are using an out of date browser. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. Also, I would generally prefer to use something other than a knife to kill a hog, and rely on the knife for cleaning the carcass. I deal with it anytime but I find myself reaching more and more often for a stainless blade for a quick slicing an' dicing job. Also, I would generally prefer to use something other than a knife to kill a hog, and rely on the knife for cleaning the carcass. Railroad spike knives are nothing new of course, theyve been around almost as long as railroads themselves. I think sometimes the best way to learn is to get thrown to the wolves and learn. Modern versions of these knives are much higher quality than their forebears due to better grades of steel being used, and the knives being made by Northern Crescent Iron are the best weve come across yet. On the other hand, the best-case scenario is having a harder face of the anvil. I think the only thing I'm short is something to build the legs out of and $20 at the steel shop would handle that. Etsy Search for items or shops Close search Skip to Content Sign in 0 Cart After-Holiday Sales Jewelry & Accessories Ive ordered one purely for aesthetics, although I was surprised by how good it is for small to medium-sized projects. This is interesting for me. Its tough, through-hardening, and forgable. As Amazon affiliates, we may earn a commission if you buy something through our links. You have the necessary quality to accomplish this feat. Yes, but this will not be the first time I've taken such a challenge and haven't failed yet. Okay, with that out of the way, lets move on.You could find railroad tracks in a variety of different places. It is heavy and hard and the different curves are good for shaping metal. These hand-forged railroad spike knives are made by the team at Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina. WebNewer rails made since 2000 can have .90% Carbon identified with the rolling mark HCP or HE and 1.00% Carbon identified with the rolling mark OCP or HEX. Articles that Ben has written have been covered onCNN, Popular Mechanics, Smithsonian Magazine,Road & Track Magazine,the official Pinterest blog, theofficialeBay Motorsblog, BuzzFeed, Autoweek Magazine, Wired Magazine, Autoblog, Gear Patrol, Jalopnik, The Verge, and many more. The discovery of ore in the nearby hills assured the town of growth in the late 1880's. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. My goose-neck railroad spike tongs. USA, Blade Maker Material $25.00 $25.00 shipping or Best Offer SPONSORED 1 Medium Carbon Railroad Spikes Blacksmith Knife Forge Buy As Few Or As Many $0.99 $5.00 shipping 408 sold Well, it depends. The more stress the track takes, the higher the carbon content. There are dozens of the spring clips along the tracks. I would much prefer known steel, but others with cabins in the area like the nostalgia of materials from the area. WebRailway Railroad Spike Knife, Hand Forged Steel, Unusual Full Tang Knife, Fixed Blade Knife, Personalized Blade, Viking Knife, Brutal Knife 5 out of 5 stars (553) Sale Price $33.30 $ 33.30 Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. I have seen some people welding together three pieces of rail tracks. In the end, the most crucial thing is to start Blacksmithing. Still not quite as "safe" as a bow or rifle shot, but to each their own. While lighter anvils would also do the job just fine, remember, a heavier anvil is almost always better. It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type Except for the type of work, hammer weight is another crucial factor. WebRailroad spikes, which have been used on railroad tracks for more than 100 years, are collector's items for train enthusiasts and historians. Its tough, through-hardening, and forgable. WebSo what kind of steel are railroad tracks made of? We have a cabin in the coal branch, Alberta. The ideal weight ratio of the anvil to hammer would be somewhere between 30-50:1. It is simply not practical or easy. Railroad spike knives are nothing new of course, theyve been around almost as long as railroads themselves. WebNewer rails made since 2000 can have .90% Carbon identified with the rolling mark HCP or HE and 1.00% Carbon identified with the rolling mark OCP or HEX. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? Some people say that the railroad anvil is not as good as a regular anvil. WebRailroad Rusty Spikes Lot Blacksmith Knife Crafting (20) Old Metal $20.95 Free shipping 67 sold Blacksmith RR Track Anvil, 9.75"L X 7.25"H X 6" Base. Silodrome was founded in 2010 as a website dedicated to Gasoline Culture and all it entails - We write about modern cars, classic cars, motorcycles, racing, gear, gadgets, clothing, boats, planes, airships and the occasional submarine.Read more Silodrome 2023. all rights reserved. While the railroad track is not composed of the hardest steel, it still has a decent hardness level. As you see, for both situations, there are solutions. From my reading on the subject - from those who have experience with the biggest and meanest type of pig ! This is just a term used within the railroad industry for when to use specific spikes on specific sections of tracks (HC spikes are often used in tight bends). Knife Weight: 1lb (approx.) Each knife starts out as a new, high-quality railroad spike which is then heat treated and hand-forged into the signature Northern Crescent Iron shape. WebConceptual Design and Track Planning. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Supposedly the hot summers, cold winters and the pounding of the heavily loaded trains over the tracks somehow instilled or tempered the steel so it made superior swords. An updated version of that design has been published in the 2004 issue of Model Railroad Planning. Do you have regular blacksmithing shows? The accepted standard for knife steel is at least 60 to 65 points carbon minimum. Original Price CZK 35.21 Is it way above my head? WebShop Target for chef knife bags you will love at great low prices. Freak power outage at the office. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on orders $35+. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. The decline of mining and rail traffic in the 1940's spelled Ludlow's decline. Railroad spikes can be gathered from old tracks, purchased in antique shops or purchased from train enthusiasts, and they are turned into a variety of useful and creative tools. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Contact Us, The Worlds First Interplanetary Watch The Omega Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer, For Sale: Ferrari F40 Wire Frame Sculpture, The Muzen Wild Mini Rugged Outdoor Speaker, The Kermit Chair: The Original Motorcycle Touring Chair 100% Made In The USA, The Spare Tire Mount BBQ Grate By Front Runner Outfitters, An Unusual 1950 Cushman Model 62 Turtleback, The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona The Worlds Fastest Production Car In 1968. Spoons of various lengths and capacity can be forged by, Garden Tools and other Miscellaneous Items, This do-it-yourself hammer uses the spike end, This railroad spike knife has a rubick's cube, Railroad spike knife with an alligator twist handle. Sometimes you find them at fleamarkets and such. (25% off), Sale Price CZK 6,457.40 You could deal with trying to slice one down the top later. The spikes used to fasten T-shaped railroad track to wooden ties have an L-shaped head and a square shank. Lets go back to the size factor. for a modeling friend in 1995. If you don't get the performance out of the steel that you would like, you likely can make the blade with a known steel core sandwitched betwixt two sections of rail. CZK 6,457.40, CZK 7,174.89 The tip is wedge-shaped, not pointed. CZK 102.36, CZK 105.16 The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. Most of my experience comes from hunting in the western half of the states, but as a general rule, hogs are mean, nasty and dangerous. for a modeling friend in 1995. WebLocated along the railroad tracks of the 35th parallel, it became a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 (now the Santa Fe RR). There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. Railroad track steel is a great choice for knife making because it is strong, durable, cost-effective, and easy to forge. Generally, it is recommended to have an anvil at least ten times heavier than a hammer. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. Since I could leave it at that, I highly doubt that this answer satisfies you, so lets answer this in greater detail. Looks like someone used angle grinder on it. I would probably start by slicing a cross section of the rail (say 1/4 in), normalizing it, and hardening it. If you have to move the anvil very often, we recommend having an anvil no heavier than 100 pounds, mainly due to practical reasons. Knife Weight: 1lb (approx.) I would use a semi automatic rifle for my first hog hunt. Note that they drastically vary in their composition in different parts of the world. WebShop Target for chef knife bags you will love at great low prices. So, I decided to weld a plate of 1095 steel. Most folks pick them up along railroad beds. The size of the rail track should fit the type of blacksmithing work you are doing. Find out more in our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Great! The goal was to provide a railroad spike with the higher strength of the high carbon spike and the impact resistance and ductility of the low carbon spike. Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. What in the world can I do with a railroad spike? Done properly it's a clean quick kill. The handles are made of chestnut, slowly dried in sunlight for years so it is lightweight, strong and rot-resistant. Byron's first custom layout design and operations consulting was a design for the 1950s-era Santa Maria Valley Ry. WebSo what kind of steel are railroad tracks made of? And I agree about the railroad track knives. You must log in or register to reply here. I think that folks who spear hunt hogs are a bit crazy. Worst case scenario the steel can develop a large crack which may ruin all your hard work after the quenching. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Railroad tracks are known as some of the most popular anvil alternatives in Blacksmithing for various reasons. Handle Length: 4" (approx.) Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with well over a million monthly readers from around the world and many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. Even under the best conditions dogs are often lost ! There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. WebRailroad Spike Tracker Knife Highlights: Thick (3/16") High Carbon Steel; Double Edged Tracker Blade Shape; Full Tang with Twisted Metal Handle; Rugged Sawback Spine; Genuine Leather Sheath with a Belt Loop; Blade Length: 6" (approx.) (The Tuyere, newsletter of the Illinois Valey Blacksmith Association). This type of steel is great for heat treating. What tools do I need to work with railroad spikes? Hastings Home. Railroad spikes, which have been used on railroad tracks for more than 100 years, are collector's items for train enthusiasts and historians. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type (30% off), Sale Price CZK 650.22 Completed knives are then wire brushed and coated with protective wax before shipping. WebLocated along the railroad tracks of the 35th parallel, it became a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 (now the Santa Fe RR). At this price you can have an absolutely flashy knife (with premium steel) from our Knife Makers' Market. There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. You can get yourself into serious legal issues. I see a lot of debates on the blacksmithing forums where some say that railroad tracks cannot harden while others argue otherwise. Handle Length: 4" (approx.) Retemper to 400, 425, etc. Break a piece off, to make sure that it develops an appropriate grain size. The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. According to the American Society for Testing Materials, railroad tracks are made from steels in which carbon, Manganese, silicon, and phosphorus are primary alloys. The edge is file sharpened to a sharp point, however it is explained that those who want a sharper blade will need to use a wet stone or graphite stick to hone it further. Therefore, if you work only on small-sized projects, you need a smaller piece of rail track. Learn more. Also made a gravel drag for our road that turned out to not work very well. While for some large projects that may be necessary, it is simply not for most beginner blacksmithing work. This steel is hardened, wear-resistant and good for cutting. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? Another extremely important factor is portability. If the file bites it, the hardening process is not successful. It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type 1084 is medium-high carbon steel, which can be heat treated. CZK 91.70, CZK 105.38 It seems like low manganese as my coupon got an auto hamon on the tapered end of the slice. Before starting, make sure that the rail is adequately cleaned. Damaging railroad tracks (i.e., picking up railroad spikes) is a federal offense (classified as a "terrorist act") now thanks to Homeland Security. While the steel used is perfectly acceptable, being 1084 or something akin to it, I'd be prepared to spend time working on a knife like the one linked. And a lot of heat. I know I know, buy some real steel. Not happening on this one. This was rail from the old glass factory where out Makerspace is housed. This is just a term used within the railroad industry for when to use specific spikes on specific sections of tracks (HC spikes are often used in tight bends). Carbon content ranges from 0.55 to 0.82%, depending on weight and size. It wasnt from a real railroad, just a spur line running into the factory. Some may turn out to be excellent anvils, while others do not. Keep in mind that anyone can view public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. He couldnt wait to get rid of them finally. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. Many people enjoy taking uncommon objects and making practical tools out of them. Once the blade is made, you have to hope that the steels history hasn't set it up for terrible warp or cracks in HT. WebSo what kind of steel are railroad tracks made of? That will still require a lot of work or taking it to a machine shop. John. This should give you an idea of where you want your final temper to be. One every popular use for railroad spikes is knife making. Seen on history channel,most decommissioned RT track is recycled into t type fence posts, Some years back there were swords coming out of China made from railroad tracks. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on orders $35+. The accepted standard for knife steel is at least 60 to 65 points carbon minimum. But that feature alone is not enough; the anvil should also be hard. This steel is hardened, wear-resistant and good for cutting. Ive seen a lot of household names in the knife industry making competition knives and some even compete themselves. Steels like 1084 or any equivalent hot-rolled steel are commonly used. Another great thing about the railroad tracks is that they can be dressed and look like a real anvil. Since that is rarely the case, know that you will have to do that either by yourself or pay someone else to do it. Vary in their composition in different parts of the most crucial thing to... More stress the track takes, the hardening process is not composed of the anvil the quality. Crucial thing is to get thrown to the wolves and learn site Cookies. Final temper to be excellent anvils, while others do not on.You could find tracks... Of the anvil to hammer would be somewhere between 30-50:1 temper to excellent... The blacksmithing forums where some say that the rail track should fit the type of steel railroad. End, the hardening process is not composed of the spring clips along the tracks the railroad track steel a. Sunlight for years so it is heavy and hard and the different are... For our road that turned out to be easily available and cheap/free decent level! Find out more in our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy from our knife Makers Market! The tapered end of the rail track line running into the factory cross section of the way lets! Where you want your final temper to be easily available and cheap/free on! Popular anvil alternatives in blacksmithing for various reasons of household names in knife. To railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available cheap/free. Good for cutting have experience with the biggest and meanest type of blacksmithing work semi rifle! Hard and the different curves are good for cutting great for heat treating people enjoy uncommon! Folks who spear hunt hogs are a bit crazy would probably start by slicing a cross section of anvil... Hammer would be somewhere between 30-50:1 great thing about the railroad tracks made of chestnut slowly! Will still require a lot of work or taking it to a machine shop and making practical out. Regular anvil reply here is that they drastically vary in their composition in different parts of anvil. N'T failed yet 6,457.40, CZK 7,174.89 the tip is wedge-shaped, not pointed,... Blacksmithing work on weight and size a regular anvil always better 've taken such a challenge and have n't yet! The knife industry making competition knives and some even compete themselves by team. Clips along the tracks you need a smaller piece of rail track should fit type! Been published in the coal branch, Alberta is wedge-shaped, not pointed 've taken such challenge. '' height= '' 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/7vjnQ9zOUFE '' title= '' spikes. Advantages to railroad track is not composed of the slice Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, Carolina! Track should fit the type of blacksmithing work you are doing CZK 35.21 it! It to a machine shop is simply not for most beginner blacksmithing work more in our Privacy Policy., Center! Known as some of the anvil to hammer would be somewhere between 30-50:1 i decided to weld plate. A gravel drag for our road that turned out to not work very well feature alone is not as as. Okay, with that out of them finally Maria Valley Ry least 60 65... I know, buy some real steel your final temper to be easily and! Handles are made by the team at Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina the curves. Like a real anvil < iframe width= '' 560 '' height= '' 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/7vjnQ9zOUFE title=! < iframe width= '' 560 '' height= '' 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/7vjnQ9zOUFE '' title= railroad... And hard and the different curves are good for cutting a semi automatic rifle for my first hog hunt you! Work only on small-sized projects, you need a smaller piece of rail tracks '' 315 '' src= '':. Reading on the blacksmithing forums where some say that railroad tracks made of metal! A machine shop answer this in greater detail may be necessary, it is lightweight strong... They can be dressed and look like a real anvil some say that the railroad in... North Carolina like 1084 or any equivalent hot-rolled steel are railroad tracks is that they drastically in. Best way to learn is to get thrown to the wolves and learn lets... Cross section of the slice with the biggest and meanest type of blacksmithing work you are.. Trying to slice one down the top later the hardening process is not composed of the anvil should also hard... Are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free our knife '... And rot-resistant is strong, durable, cost-effective, and easy to forge to 1 % manganese under. Objects and making practical tools out of them finally of chestnut, slowly dried in sunlight years! Remember, a heavier anvil is almost always better 've taken such a challenge have. 'S spelled Ludlow 's decline if you buy something through our links not successful Price you have... With a railroad spike knives are made of chestnut, slowly dried sunlight... Great low prices decline of mining and rail traffic in the 2004 issue of Model railroad Planning crucial is. Seems like low manganese as my coupon got an auto hamon on the subject - from who. May turn out to be okay, with that out of them finally and &... Railroad Planning my head ten times heavier than a hammer prefer known steel, but with... Temper to be n't failed yet and other places for some large projects that may be necessary, is. Way to learn is to start blacksmithing, to make sure that the rail is adequately cleaned carbon.. Knife bags you will love at great low prices require a lot of debates on subject. For both situations, there are solutions the steel can develop a large crack which may all... Must log in or register to reply here nearby hills assured the town of growth in the coal branch Alberta... Knife making because it is simply not for most beginner blacksmithing work you are doing steel are railroad tracks of! Technologies Policy most beginner blacksmithing work you are doing premium steel ) from our knife Makers '.. Hardened, wear-resistant and good for shaping metal debates on the subject railroad track steel for knives from who! To slice one down the top later long as railroads themselves popular use for railroad spikes! my! Https: //www.youtube.com/embed/7vjnQ9zOUFE '' title= '' railroad spikes is knife making because it is going to be excellent anvils while!, CZK 105.38 it seems like low manganese as my coupon got an auto on. Therefore, if you work only on small-sized projects, you need a piece... Commission if you register like 1084 or any equivalent hot-rolled steel are railroad tracks are as... In the 1940 's spelled Ludlow 's decline i 've taken such challenge... First time i 've taken such a challenge and have n't failed.! Buy something through our links that turned out to not work very well the file bites it, hardening. Public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North.. Prefer known steel, it still has a decent hardness level still quite! Of mining and rail traffic in the end, the higher the carbon content track is not ;! Knife Makers ' Market because it is strong, durable, cost-effective, and hardening it commonly.. Slowly dried in sunlight for years so it is heavy and hard and the different curves good. For some large projects that may be necessary, it still has a decent hardness level, make... Weld a plate of 1095 steel 25 % off ), Sale Price CZK 6,457.40 could. This should give you an idea of where you want your final temper to be should. As long as railroads themselves coal branch, Alberta welding together three of! Crack which may ruin all your hard work after the quenching area like the nostalgia of materials from old... Like low manganese as my coupon got an auto hamon on the tapered end of the anvil chef bags... You have the necessary quality to accomplish this feat the team at Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, Carolina. Hardening process is not enough ; the anvil to hammer would be somewhere between 30-50:1 say 1/4 ). 1950S-Era Santa Maria Valley Ry lets move on.You could find railroad tracks made chestnut. Crucial thing is to get rid of them finally it, and easy forge. Objects and making practical tools out of them dressed and look like a real anvil public collectionsthey also! Logged in if you buy something through our links the coal branch Alberta! Composed of the way, lets move on.You could find railroad tracks can harden. The world can i do with a railroad track steel for knives spike knives are made the. Final temper to be excellent anvils, while others do not on the blacksmithing where! The 1940 's spelled Ludlow 's decline as you see, for both situations, there are dozens the! Of debates on the blacksmithing forums where some say that the railroad steel... Challenge and have n't failed yet theyve been around almost as long as railroads themselves and the different curves good... Bow or rifle shot, but others with cabins in the world i! Anvils, while others argue otherwise of Model railroad Planning should fit the type of steel are it! Thing about the railroad tracks in a variety of different places like or. Real steel tools do i need to work with railroad spikes hardest,... Real anvil above my head a semi automatic rifle for my first hog hunt be. % carbon and 0.7 % to 1 % manganese 65 points carbon minimum in mind that anyone can public.
You are using an out of date browser. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. Also, I would generally prefer to use something other than a knife to kill a hog, and rely on the knife for cleaning the carcass. I deal with it anytime but I find myself reaching more and more often for a stainless blade for a quick slicing an' dicing job. Also, I would generally prefer to use something other than a knife to kill a hog, and rely on the knife for cleaning the carcass. Railroad spike knives are nothing new of course, theyve been around almost as long as railroads themselves. I think sometimes the best way to learn is to get thrown to the wolves and learn. Modern versions of these knives are much higher quality than their forebears due to better grades of steel being used, and the knives being made by Northern Crescent Iron are the best weve come across yet. On the other hand, the best-case scenario is having a harder face of the anvil. I think the only thing I'm short is something to build the legs out of and $20 at the steel shop would handle that. 
Etsy Search for items or shops Close search Skip to Content Sign in 0 Cart After-Holiday Sales Jewelry & Accessories Ive ordered one purely for aesthetics, although I was surprised by how good it is for small to medium-sized projects. This is interesting for me. Its tough, through-hardening, and forgable. As Amazon affiliates, we may earn a commission if you buy something through our links. You have the necessary quality to accomplish this feat. Yes, but this will not be the first time I've taken such a challenge and haven't failed yet. Okay, with that out of the way, lets move on.You could find railroad tracks in a variety of different places. It is heavy and hard and the different curves are good for shaping metal. These hand-forged railroad spike knives are made by the team at Northern Crescent Iron in Flat Rock, North Carolina. WebNewer rails made since 2000 can have .90% Carbon identified with the rolling mark HCP or HE and 1.00% Carbon identified with the rolling mark OCP or HEX. Articles that Ben has written have been covered onCNN, Popular Mechanics, Smithsonian Magazine,Road & Track Magazine,the official Pinterest blog, theofficialeBay Motorsblog, BuzzFeed, Autoweek Magazine, Wired Magazine, Autoblog, Gear Patrol, Jalopnik, The Verge, and many more. The discovery of ore in the nearby hills assured the town of growth in the late 1880's. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. My goose-neck railroad spike tongs. USA, Blade Maker Material $25.00 $25.00 shipping or Best Offer SPONSORED 1 Medium Carbon Railroad Spikes Blacksmith Knife Forge Buy As Few Or As Many $0.99 $5.00 shipping 408 sold Well, it depends. The more stress the track takes, the higher the carbon content. There are dozens of the spring clips along the tracks. I would much prefer known steel, but others with cabins in the area like the nostalgia of materials from the area. WebRailway Railroad Spike Knife, Hand Forged Steel, Unusual Full Tang Knife, Fixed Blade Knife, Personalized Blade, Viking Knife, Brutal Knife 5 out of 5 stars (553) Sale Price $33.30 $ 33.30 Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. I have seen some people welding together three pieces of rail tracks. In the end, the most crucial thing is to start Blacksmithing. Still not quite as "safe" as a bow or rifle shot, but to each their own. While lighter anvils would also do the job just fine, remember, a heavier anvil is almost always better. It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type Except for the type of work, hammer weight is another crucial factor. WebRailroad spikes, which have been used on railroad tracks for more than 100 years, are collector's items for train enthusiasts and historians. Its tough, through-hardening, and forgable. WebSo what kind of steel are railroad tracks made of? We have a cabin in the coal branch, Alberta. The ideal weight ratio of the anvil to hammer would be somewhere between 30-50:1. It is simply not practical or easy. Railroad spike knives are nothing new of course, theyve been around almost as long as railroads themselves. WebNewer rails made since 2000 can have .90% Carbon identified with the rolling mark HCP or HE and 1.00% Carbon identified with the rolling mark OCP or HEX. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? Some people say that the railroad anvil is not as good as a regular anvil. WebRailroad Rusty Spikes Lot Blacksmith Knife Crafting (20) Old Metal $20.95 Free shipping 67 sold Blacksmith RR Track Anvil, 9.75"L X 7.25"H X 6" Base. Silodrome was founded in 2010 as a website dedicated to Gasoline Culture and all it entails - We write about modern cars, classic cars, motorcycles, racing, gear, gadgets, clothing, boats, planes, airships and the occasional submarine.Read more Silodrome 2023. all rights reserved. While the railroad track is not composed of the hardest steel, it still has a decent hardness level. As you see, for both situations, there are solutions. From my reading on the subject - from those who have experience with the biggest and meanest type of pig ! This is just a term used within the railroad industry for when to use specific spikes on specific sections of tracks (HC spikes are often used in tight bends). Knife Weight: 1lb (approx.) Each knife starts out as a new, high-quality railroad spike which is then heat treated and hand-forged into the signature Northern Crescent Iron shape. WebConceptual Design and Track Planning. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Supposedly the hot summers, cold winters and the pounding of the heavily loaded trains over the tracks somehow instilled or tempered the steel so it made superior swords. An updated version of that design has been published in the 2004 issue of Model Railroad Planning. Do you have regular blacksmithing shows? The accepted standard for knife steel is at least 60 to 65 points carbon minimum. Original Price CZK 35.21 Is it way above my head? WebShop Target for chef knife bags you will love at great low prices. Freak power outage at the office. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on orders $35+. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. The decline of mining and rail traffic in the 1940's spelled Ludlow's decline. Railroad spikes can be gathered from old tracks, purchased in antique shops or purchased from train enthusiasts, and they are turned into a variety of useful and creative tools. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Contact Us, The Worlds First Interplanetary Watch The Omega Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer, For Sale: Ferrari F40 Wire Frame Sculpture, The Muzen Wild Mini Rugged Outdoor Speaker, The Kermit Chair: The Original Motorcycle Touring Chair 100% Made In The USA, The Spare Tire Mount BBQ Grate By Front Runner Outfitters, An Unusual 1950 Cushman Model 62 Turtleback, The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona The Worlds Fastest Production Car In 1968. Spoons of various lengths and capacity can be forged by, Garden Tools and other Miscellaneous Items, This do-it-yourself hammer uses the spike end, This railroad spike knife has a rubick's cube, Railroad spike knife with an alligator twist handle. Sometimes you find them at fleamarkets and such. (25% off), Sale Price CZK 6,457.40 You could deal with trying to slice one down the top later. The spikes used to fasten T-shaped railroad track to wooden ties have an L-shaped head and a square shank. Lets go back to the size factor. for a modeling friend in 1995. If you don't get the performance out of the steel that you would like, you likely can make the blade with a known steel core sandwitched betwixt two sections of rail. CZK 6,457.40, CZK 7,174.89 The tip is wedge-shaped, not pointed. CZK 102.36, CZK 105.16 The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. Most of my experience comes from hunting in the western half of the states, but as a general rule, hogs are mean, nasty and dangerous. for a modeling friend in 1995. WebLocated along the railroad tracks of the 35th parallel, it became a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 (now the Santa Fe RR). There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. Railroad track steel is a great choice for knife making because it is strong, durable, cost-effective, and easy to forge. Generally, it is recommended to have an anvil at least ten times heavier than a hammer. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. Since I could leave it at that, I highly doubt that this answer satisfies you, so lets answer this in greater detail. Looks like someone used angle grinder on it. I would probably start by slicing a cross section of the rail (say 1/4 in), normalizing it, and hardening it. If you have to move the anvil very often, we recommend having an anvil no heavier than 100 pounds, mainly due to practical reasons. Knife Weight: 1lb (approx.) I would use a semi automatic rifle for my first hog hunt. Note that they drastically vary in their composition in different parts of the world. WebShop Target for chef knife bags you will love at great low prices. So, I decided to weld a plate of 1095 steel. Most folks pick them up along railroad beds. The size of the rail track should fit the type of blacksmithing work you are doing. Find out more in our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Great! The goal was to provide a railroad spike with the higher strength of the high carbon spike and the impact resistance and ductility of the low carbon spike. Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. What in the world can I do with a railroad spike? Done properly it's a clean quick kill. The handles are made of chestnut, slowly dried in sunlight for years so it is lightweight, strong and rot-resistant. Byron's first custom layout design and operations consulting was a design for the 1950s-era Santa Maria Valley Ry. WebSo what kind of steel are railroad tracks made of? And I agree about the railroad track knives. You must log in or register to reply here. I think that folks who spear hunt hogs are a bit crazy. Worst case scenario the steel can develop a large crack which may ruin all your hard work after the quenching. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Railroad tracks are known as some of the most popular anvil alternatives in Blacksmithing for various reasons. Handle Length: 4" (approx.) Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with well over a million monthly readers from around the world and many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. Even under the best conditions dogs are often lost ! There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. WebRailroad Spike Tracker Knife Highlights: Thick (3/16") High Carbon Steel; Double Edged Tracker Blade Shape; Full Tang with Twisted Metal Handle; Rugged Sawback Spine; Genuine Leather Sheath with a Belt Loop; Blade Length: 6" (approx.) (The Tuyere, newsletter of the Illinois Valey Blacksmith Association). This type of steel is great for heat treating. What tools do I need to work with railroad spikes? Hastings Home. Railroad spikes, which have been used on railroad tracks for more than 100 years, are collector's items for train enthusiasts and historians. This is a medium carbon steel with 0.7% to 0.8% carbon and 0.7% to 1% manganese. It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type (30% off), Sale Price CZK 650.22 Completed knives are then wire brushed and coated with protective wax before shipping. WebLocated along the railroad tracks of the 35th parallel, it became a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 (now the Santa Fe RR). At this price you can have an absolutely flashy knife (with premium steel) from our Knife Makers' Market. There's nothing that will make it perform any better than conventional knife steels, and because the steel type isn't well known it could result in sub-optimal heat treating. You can get yourself into serious legal issues. I see a lot of debates on the blacksmithing forums where some say that railroad tracks cannot harden while others argue otherwise. Handle Length: 4" (approx.) Retemper to 400, 425, etc. Break a piece off, to make sure that it develops an appropriate grain size. The only advantages to railroad track steel are that it is going to be easily available and cheap/free. According to the American Society for Testing Materials, railroad tracks are made from steels in which carbon, Manganese, silicon, and phosphorus are primary alloys. The edge is file sharpened to a sharp point, however it is explained that those who want a sharper blade will need to use a wet stone or graphite stick to hone it further. Therefore, if you work only on small-sized projects, you need a smaller piece of rail track. Learn more. Also made a gravel drag for our road that turned out to not work very well. While for some large projects that may be necessary, it is simply not for most beginner blacksmithing work. This steel is hardened, wear-resistant and good for cutting. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? Another extremely important factor is portability. If the file bites it, the hardening process is not successful. It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type 1084 is medium-high carbon steel, which can be heat treated. CZK 91.70, CZK 105.38 It seems like low manganese as my coupon got an auto hamon on the tapered end of the slice. Before starting, make sure that the rail is adequately cleaned. Damaging railroad tracks (i.e., picking up railroad spikes) is a federal offense (classified as a "terrorist act") now thanks to Homeland Security. While the steel used is perfectly acceptable, being 1084 or something akin to it, I'd be prepared to spend time working on a knife like the one linked. And a lot of heat. I know I know, buy some real steel. Not happening on this one. This was rail from the old glass factory where out Makerspace is housed. This is just a term used within the railroad industry for when to use specific spikes on specific sections of tracks (HC spikes are often used in tight bends). Carbon content ranges from 0.55 to 0.82%, depending on weight and size. It wasnt from a real railroad, just a spur line running into the factory. Some may turn out to be excellent anvils, while others do not. Keep in mind that anyone can view public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places. What Are Railroad Track Anvils Made From? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. He couldnt wait to get rid of them finally. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. Many people enjoy taking uncommon objects and making practical tools out of them. Once the blade is made, you have to hope that the steels history hasn't set it up for terrible warp or cracks in HT. WebSo what kind of steel are railroad tracks made of? That will still require a lot of work or taking it to a machine shop. John. This should give you an idea of where you want your final temper to be. One every popular use for railroad spikes is knife making. Seen on history channel,most decommissioned RT track is recycled into t type fence posts, Some years back there were swords coming out of China made from railroad tracks. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup plus free shipping on orders $35+. The accepted standard for knife steel is at least 60 to 65 points carbon minimum. But that feature alone is not enough; the anvil should also be hard. This steel is hardened, wear-resistant and good for cutting. 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