If you're looking for a unique type of metal crafting project, consider
crafting a knife made from a railroad spike, with the spike's
distinctive head forming the pommel of the handle. You can make an
eye-catching and useful blade that makes a great conversation piece. If
you are experienced with basic blacksmithing and have a set of tools and
safety gear, you can forge your own spike-knife by following these
directions.
- Hearth or forge for heating metal
- Anvil
- Blacksmith tongs
1.Heat the spike in until it takes on a cherry-red glow. Grasp the spike
with metal-working tongs and place it on the anvil so that the head of
the spike is oriented properly. (The elongated edge of the spike's head
should be pointing in the same direction as the sharp edge of the
finished blade.) Begin hammering and flattening the first one-third of
length of the shaft, measuring from the tip of the point back. (Refer to
accompanying picture.)
2.Flatten the shank evenly across the width. Work the metal from the
beginning of the blade at the handle, moving outward toward the point,
until you form the shape in the example picture here. The blade should
be 1/8-inch thick. Reheat the blade whenever it cools or becomes too
stiff to work easily. When you have the blank form of the blade in the
correct shape, reheat it for the next step.
3.Work the blade into a wedge-shape that narrows along the cutting edge of
the blade. Begin hammering from the edge near the handle and work
forward toward the tip. As the metal is worked into a tapering wedge
(viewed in cross-section) the blade will curve upward slightly as you
move toward the tip. Flatten the tip of the blade along the last quarter
of the length of the blade, measuring back from the point. Hammer the
last quarter-length down from the top edge to the cutting edge. Taper
the whole tip of the blade down to a sharp point. Reheat the blade
whenever it becomes too stiff to work easily. When the blade is formed
in the shape pictured in the example here, you are ready for the
finishing touches.
4.Sharpen the edge of the blade using a metal file or grindstone to rough
in the final taper. Use a whetstone or a disc-array sharpener to put a
fine, sharp cutting edge on the blade. Options for finishing the metal
surfaces include sand-blasting the handle, putting a brushed finish on
the flat of the blade, or polishing the blade with emery paper. Good
luck with your project!
PIC OF KNIVES MADE FROM RAILROAD SPIKES
YOU CAN SHOP MY STORE FOR KNIVES READY FOR PURCHASE HERE AT
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Goddardsknives
