Can you make a knife out of an old table saw blade?
Finished knife made from an old table saw blade. I had a few old ten-inch table saw blades just lying around slowly rusting. I saw examples online of projects using old saw blades to make knives. I thought I’d give it a try. Note: I found that a useable knife can be made, but not a perfect knife.
Are circular saw blades Good to make knives?
I have a rather large collection of circular saw blades. I have never had a problem heat treating and tempering the steel. It doesn't matter if the teeth are inserted or carbide or what have you. So, in my experience, yes they are very good to make knives out of.
Why is it so hard to make a good saw blade?
It doesn’t take long, and it's fun, but the saw blades are a little thin for making a strong and durable knife. Also, most saw blades are made from a steel alloy, (typically steel-chrome-molybdenum) which can make working with them quite difficult. Saw blade with the template and design tools I used.
What is the best steel to use for making knives?
If they are something like an old saw blades from a lumber mill they might be of a useful steel. Your best bet is to start out with a known steel so you will at least an idea of how the steel should be heat treated. Mystery metal is a poor choice for the beginner and probably even the advanced knife maker.
What kind of steel are old saw blades?
Carbon steelCarbon steel is the most common metal used to manufacture sawmill blades and performs well for high production. It's possible to add other metals to a blade's composition to enhance its durability. Either way, the blade metal must be both flexible and hard.
Are saw blades worth sharpening?
Sharpening your saw blades will save you money in the long run because you'll get better cuts, and you'll have to replace your saw and blades less often. You can sharpen steel-toothed circular saw blades yourself using a file.
Are saw blades hardened steel?
Generally, metallurgists use the highest grade of steel to make table saw blades. Steel needs to be hard enough to cut through things like tree trunks. To cut through things, the hardness of the saw blade will play a pivotal role. Table saw blades are hardened to ensure that they cut through things with relative ease.
Do old hand saws make good knives?
The high-carbon steel is top for making great knives that take and keep a good edge. The high-carbon steel in hand saws that are over 25-30 years old is also of excellent quality and will make an exceptionally strong knife that takes and holds a fine edge for a long time.
Can you sharpen carbide teeth?
Carbide teeth are so hard, they can only be sharpened using an exceptionally fine grit diamond wheel. Contrary to some information found online, a diamond blade used for cutting ceramic tile is way too coarse for this purpose and will ruin the carbide tip.
How do you keep a saw blade sharp?
5 Tips for Saw Sharpening and MaintenanceKeep It Dry. Store your saw in a dry place or a toolbox to prevent rust.Lubricate The Blade. After each use, lubricate your blade with gun oil, paste wax, or WD-40 before storing. ... Oil The Handle. ... Remove Blade Rust With a Razor. ... Sharpen The Saw.
How do you make a knife out of an old saw blade?
0:4715:12How to make a knife out of an old saw blade. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm gonna use just a cut off wheel. On a winder. And we're gonna cut that out and you'd be surprisedMoreI'm gonna use just a cut off wheel. On a winder. And we're gonna cut that out and you'd be surprised at what you can make.
What do you do with old saw blades?
At some point, your saw blades will need to be sharpened or thrown out. And yes, you can sharpen saw blades, either at home or by taking them to a professional. But you can also recycle them if you no longer want them. Since they are made of steel, any place that recycles metal should take them.
Can you make a knife from a table saw blade?
The biggest advantage of using an old saw is the lack of metallurgy you need to do. The blade is already the right hardness for holding an edge, so you don't need to treat the steel to make it a good knife. However, blanks cut from the saw are sometimes a little too flexible, but you can work around (or with) it.
Does rebar make good knives?
Steel is not only suitable material for making knives but also an excellent material for forging in general. The metal used in making the rebar is steel, and the knife comes from the rebar. Indirectly, the knife is made from steel, making it a good knife.
What can you do with old hand saws?
What Do You Do with Old Saws?Use them. Most old hand saws are still functional – so go ahead and put that saw to its intended use.Sell that saw. If you've got an old hand saw and you no longer want (or need) it, they do sell. ... Donate it. ... Refinish the handsaw. ... Recycle the handsaw. ... Use the hand saw in decoration.
What is the best material to make a knife out of?
Carbon steel grades with high amounts of carbon are desirable for knife making because they will give the blade the hardness and strength needed to hold up against impact and wear.
Is it worth sharpening a hand saw?
Saw blade sharpening ensures the durability and effectiveness of your tool. A good handsaw, when properly treated, is a tool that can be passed with pride from one generation to the next.
Can you sharpen circular saw blades by hand?
Can you sharpen a circular saw blade with a file? If the circular saw blade is steel-toothed, you can sharpen the blade with a file. A hand file or a crank sharpener may also be used. For carbide-tipped circular saw blades, filing should not be used as files can dull the blade further.
How do I know if my saw blade is dull?
Look for worn-down, chipped, broken and missing teeth or chipped carbide tips that indicate it's time to replace a circular saw blade. Check the wear line of carbide edges using a bright light and magnifying glass to determine if it's beginning to dull.
Are Forrest blades worth the money?
A good ripping blade and a good 60 tooth crosscut blade fill 95% of my needs. I have had good experience with Tenryu in addition to Freud. I have had a WWII for many years and love the blade. Forrest does a great job sharpening their blades returning them to just like the day you bought it.
What are old saw blades made of?
Old saw blades are almost always made from high quality steel. You can find them in abundance at swap meets, garage sales, rummage sales, etc. The biggest advantage of using an old saw is the lack of metallurgy you need to do. The blade is already the right hardness for holding an edge, so you don’t need to treat the steel to make it a good knife. However, blanks cut from the saw are sometimes a little too flexible, but you can work around (or with) it.
What kind of saw do you use to cut scales?
Handsaw (Japanese pull saw preferred) if you’re cutting your own scales
How to sharpen a knife handle?
Wrap cardboard or leather around your finely sanded handle and secure with duct tape. Clamp the knife handle in your vise with the edge to be sharpened facing up. Put on your safety glasses and hearing protection. Using a file, start filing up and down the blade edges, holding the file at an approximately 20–22 degree angle to the blade. Visualize this distance by cutting a 45-degree angle in half. Do not drag the file, as it only cuts on the pushing stroke. Don’t file in one spot too much or you’ll create a low spot, which means a do-over if you want a good, true edge.
How to clean a knife blank?
Clean your blank with steel wool and a little light oil (gun oil or 3-in-1 works great). After it’s clean (but not necessarily completely shiny), clean off the blank with some acetone to remove all traces of oil. Mixing oil and epoxy doesn’t work. You can get an idea of what the metal looks like from this image. Remember, no oils left or your scales won’t bond to the blank. You can do as much or as little as you want with this step. If you want your knife to have a more rustic look, use a little oil and steel wool (00, or double-aught, which means double zero). Steel wool comes in 00, 000, and 0000. The quadruple aught is used for fine polishing such as removing rust from a gun barrel. The 00 is fine for a knife, unless you’re really meticulous. I prefer to leave a little color in this type of rustic knife.
What to say to a knife?
Be nice to your knife and it will serve you well.
What oil should I use to finish a wood handle?
I like oiled finishes, so I used a hempseed oil to finish the handle. You can use whatever suits your fancy. The more coats of oil, the richer the look and you’ll be providing a lot of protection to your wood.
How to trace a pattern on a saw blade?
Using a piece of chalk or soapstone, trace your pattern onto the old saw blade. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as you will be using your eyes as you go, and you will be filing away any imperfections.
Is mystery metal a good choice for beginners?
Your best bet is to start out with a known steel so you will at least an idea of how the steel should be heat treated. Mystery metal is a poor choice for the beginner and probably even the advanced knife maker.
Can you make knives out of saw blades?
I have never had a problem heat treating and tempering the steel. It doesn't matter if the teeth are inserted or carbide or what have you. So, in my experience, yes they are very good to make knives out of.
Can circular saw blades be used as steel?
Doug Lester. If they are modern circular saw blades my recommendation is to not waste you time with them. If they are something like an old saw blades from a lumber mill they might be of a useful steel. Your best bet is to start out with a known steel so you will at least an idea of how the steel should be heat treated.
Can you use high carbon steel for knives?from bladeforums.com
You may find this video helpful, It shows how different steels spark test against one another. You always want to use some form of high carbon steel for knives.
Is mystery metal a good choice for beginners?from bladesmithsforum.com
Your best bet is to start out with a known steel so you will at least an idea of how the steel should be heat treated. Mystery metal is a poor choice for the beginner and probably even the advanced knife maker.
Can you make knives out of saw blades?from bladesmithsforum.com
I have never had a problem heat treating and tempering the steel. It doesn't matter if the teeth are inserted or carbide or what have you. So, in my experience, yes they are very good to make knives out of.
Can circular saw blades be used as steel?from bladesmithsforum.com
Doug Lester. If they are modern circular saw blades my recommendation is to not waste you time with them. If they are something like an old saw blades from a lumber mill they might be of a useful steel. Your best bet is to start out with a known steel so you will at least an idea of how the steel should be heat treated.
What Crafts Can I Make with an Old Saw Blade?
Repurposing your old saw blade into a new craft is a fun way to add a unique, homemade touch to your home. Some fun projects to make with an old saw blade include:
What Can I Do With Dull Saw Blades?
The best way to restore a dull blade is to clean it simply . If you have a carbide-tipped blade or a steel-tipped blade, you’ll want to soak the blade in an all-purpose cleaner. After the blade has a chance to soak for about an hour, use a soft brush to clean it off, removing the packed dirt, oil, and wood from the blades.
Are Old Saw Blades Worth Anything?
Unfortunately, old saw blades really aren’t worth anything. Not only are they made of relatively available materials, but they are pretty cheap to replace. Saw blades are meant to be essentially consumable, meaning there isn’t a big value placed on old blades. Most people will not have much luck selling old saw blades, so they are recycled, repurposed, or trashed.
Can I Restore an Old Saw Blade?
An old saw blade that is no longer sharp is not necessarily destined for the trash. You may be able to sharpen a saw blade if it is made with a steel-toothed construction. You’ll need a file to sharpen your steel blade and be prepared to spend some time filing each tooth on the blade.
Robar
I have heard and read that saw blades are good for making knife blades. I'm fairly confused on what saw blades make good knife blades. While all I have is a pic, but no specific information could someone give a clue? I found these for sale locally and am wondering if they are the right type of blade. Thanks for the help. Robert
ThomasPowers
Generally saw blades where the body of the blade itself is used to make the blade section are better than ones where carbide chunks are applied to the "teeth". Ask at a saw sharpener for blades that they are discarding; probably get them for free!
Ecart
I sharpen bandsaw blades for a living and have collected MANY blades like the ones you have pictured. I've made several knives out of them and sold them. I always follow up my sales with a "how's it holding up?" email to my customer. I have never had a single complaint about the durability or edge holding ability of the knife.
keithl
My first blade was made from a old saw blade. I just sliced a strip out with the angle grinder. Then forged it to shape and draw filed it smooth. It heat treated well and holds a edge very good. Here's a picture. Go for it. Keith.
Willis
I make a lot of knives from saw blades and use an angle grinder with a cut off blade. Just be careful not to let the metal 'burn' as you cut it. Any area that turns a blue color while your cutting will be a soft spot on the blade. If you have a friend that has a plasma cutter or own one yourself that works even better.
