Knifemakers?? will this work???

[wesome]

Ok folks, I'm sure we are all familiar with the swords to plowshares quote? I have found an old harrow tooth on our farm that was at one time used by my grandfather( over 40 years ago) and I'm wondering if one can do the opposite...that is- make plowshares into swords (well, knives)? Will the metal be hard enough? If not, could it be tempered somehow? This would give me a piece of him to carry with me, and I figure I could plane one of his hand hewn red oak tobacco stick to use for scales. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!! Dave T

[LAR43]

Usually any steel made to cut the earth is good to use as a knife blade.

Spark test it & see if it's got a fairly high carbon content. Sparks ought to look like a kids sparkler . . bright white w/ starbursts off the ends. If it's red or orange that usually indicates lower carbon.

If it's a good piece of steel, you're probably gonna have to anneal it to work it then re harden & temper it when you're done.

Larry

[Lin Rhea]

Wesome,
           It's probably 1070 or 1075 from what I've read. That's good steel. It will need to be forged to shape and rehardened.
                                 Lin