Question

[Tyler2045]

hey guys,

I have about 25 to 35 pounds of used tiller tines, I am wondering do you think they will make good knifes. I am just now trying to get my forge set up. They are about 1/8 inch thick on the back side, when I take the bend out they are about a foot long, and have a large curve in them. Also have two holes near the "handle" where they bolted to the tiller.                Any help would be great. I am willing to send some out to the amazing knife smiths here if you want to see what you can do with one.                              Tyler

[Tyler2045]

Also if you want to try one of these just send me a pm. and we will talk about it.

[beaver#1]

how old are they

[Tyler2045]

I am guessing anywhere for last year to 10 years old.

[beaver#1]

if they will harden they will make a "blade".  without knowing what type of steel it is its hard to say how good of a blade it will make.  but i bet they will be great to practice on.   does this help any?

[Tyler2045]

It does I think they will be good practice to but I was just wondering how good a knife it would make. 70 er is stamped into te blade if that helps any.

[beaver#1]

i have never worked with tiller tines so i cannot say for sure.  im suprised no one else has chimed in im sure someone has used them before

[LAR43]

Tyler,
Just to answer your own question try this.
Heat one up to non magnetic & quench it in water.
Put it in your vise & with a pair of gloves & safety goggles on whack it with a hammer. If it breaks or shatters like a piece of glass there's enough carbon in it to make a fair knife.
It's not scientific by any means, but it will definitely give you an idea of what the steel is like.

Larry

[beaver#1]

lar is right

[Tyler2045]

Yeah couple of problems I dont have a vice so i would have to hold it, second the little thing i call my forge right now will only heat about 2 inchs of it at a time, but i will try it tomorrow

[Tyler2045]

I get a 2 real forge tables, and blowers, 4 different size anvils, a post vise and a lot of tools when my grandpa passes he got me interested in blacksmithing then i moved to Mississippi and he is now 4 hours away.

[Ragnarok Forge]

The tines should make good knifes.  Go to the library and look in a copy of the Machinists Handbook.  It identifies what most combine, farm equipment tines are made of.  Also do some research and try the spark test.  It will tell you pretty closely what carbon content is in the steel.  I will check my book out this weekend and post what it says about steel type.

If you want, you can send me a tine and I will run the spark test and see what I can do with the steel.

Send me a pm if you interested in sending the steel and I will send you my address.

[Tyler2045]

I could not break it or bend it. I did put it to a grinder and I got really fuzzy sparks. I have used this grinder a lot on lawn mower blades and some weldable steel and this is the fuzzyies spark I have seen.