first attempt

[ronp]

This is my first attempt at a knife. I cut it out of a table saw blade with an air cut off tool I bought from Harbor Freight for $7.  I think I need to harden the blade, but am not sure quite how to do it.  I don't know what type of steel it is. Do I heat it up and quench it in oil? Also, does the handle curve down a little too much? Thanks - ronp

[robslifts]

looks like wicked handle to me  could be a looker

[sticshooter]

Stick some scales on that sucker and lets have a look see!<><

[Lin Rhea]

ronp,
      You have a good eye for line/profile. I do think the handle needs to be up a little more. The blade shape is nice.
 The steel could be L-6, but dont know how old of a blade it came from. Only way to know if it will make a good knife is test it. I like to do a spark test and see if the steel has enough carbon. You can do that while it is still in saw blade form, before you go to too much trouble.
A spark test will save you a lot of work.
                                        Lin

[OconeeDan]

Lin, please enlighten us on the spark test?

[Over&Under]

ttt

I would like to know about the "spark test" too

jake

[Montauks]

Found this on   knifeforums.com

"There's a way to tell if'n it will be OK. It's called the spark test. Press the steel to a running grinding wheel. If you get a complex spark ( a spark that breaks apart before it goes out ) and it's dull white to yellowish, there's a good chance that it has enough carbon for a knife blade. You can also attempt to harden it and test it with a file. If the file only lightly bites or doesn't bite at all, it should likely be OK."

[ronp]

Thanks everyone.  I will play with this some more.  It really is practice to see if I can do this, so I have nothing to lose.  I hope it will look nice regardless of how it holds an edge.  I have a big sawmill blade, about 3 feet diameter, but I don't know if I want to cut it up.  It is currently an ornament down in my garden, hanging on a shed. Folks up here often paint nice outdoors scenes on them and they make pretty cool decorations.  I am looking for a small piece of steel, though, if anyone can help. Thanks again!  ronp

[Lin Rhea]

Montauks is right.

 Hold a test piece of the steel to a grinder and look at the spark as it cascades down. Notice the pattern of the spark as it bursts open. If it divides into many multiple smaller and bright sparks, it's likely steel of sufficient carbon for knives. If it falls in a single line as if it does'nt want to burst, it's probably mild steel with insufficient carbon.
   This test will give you a heads up as to whether the steel is worthy of the risk of your time. When you compare a known high carbon steel to a known low carbon steel, you can start to recognize the patterns.

                                  Lin