Nicholson machete blades?

[ALW]

Does anyone know what steel Nicholson machetes are made from?  I checked their site and all is says is high carbon steel.  I have a 22" machete that I'm wanting to shorten by about 5 or 6 inches and if the steel is decent I'd use the cut off to make a knife out of.  I know some of the machetes we have at work are 1095 but not sure about this one.  Thanks for any help.

Aaron

[ALW]

Anyone?  I think I can get two small knives out of the cut off.  I'll probably anneal them and re-harden if the steel is something I can work with.  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks

Aaron

[LAR43]

Hit it with your grinder. The sparks should look bright white & have a lot of little starbursts on their ends.
Yellow or orange won't do it.
This wont tell you if you have 1095 but it will let you know if you have steel that has enough carbon for a satisfactory blade.

Larry

[ALW]

Thanks.  I forgot about the spark test.  I'm guessing 1075 or 1080.  I'll probably treat it like that.  I'll see what can come up with.  Thanks again.

Aaron

[tomh]

Are you going to re heat treat it? If not the steel might be tempered softer than you want for a knife.

[ALW]

I was going to anneal, shape and drill it, then heat treat it again.  I don't have a real good set up so I'll just heat it to a little above non magnetic then quench.  If it works great, if not no big deal.  Thanks for advice.


Aaron