Thread: Can I use this saw blade for knife project?

I want to try a beginner knife project using the stock removal method. I'd like a steel that's soft enough to file but will respond to heat treatment. The project is a utility knife, so it doesn't have to get super hard. Can I use this saw blade that I scored at the used tool place? There are no tips welded onto the teeth, so whatever it's made of, it's the same through and through.

oops I forgot the pic

Should work ok
But getting a good heat treat is a total gamble as long as you dont know what metal you have

OK, I'm up for a gamble. Since it's going to be a utility knife, it's OK if it's on the soft side, like a Schrade Old Timer.

The blade body is very likely to be 6150. It'll make a good working knife. Not an out on the very edge of high test performance knife, but a good working knife.

It will probably "work", but you are really going to be guessing with the HT. Why not buy a chunk of 1084 steel (It's not spendy, but I suppose you do have the saw blade in hand already). There are plenty of instructions out there for doing a HT on 1084 and you'll be pleased with the results.

Johnny J,

Have at it !

Years ago we used to use old Eclipse hacksaw bades (ca 32 mm wide) to make utility knives for use in the factory.

The Eclipse blades were made from M3 steel, and took a killer edge. They also had a natty blue coating

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Well, I hit my first snag. The saw blade is already too hard to be drilled or filed. I could anneal it & re-harden later, but I think instead I'll change the design to a hidden tang knife so I don't have to drill any holes. I can cut it with a diamond abrasive hacksaw and shape it on concrete. This project is getting more ghetto by the second

I am not a knife maker, but reading this I can't help but wonder if you've gotten an emotional attachment to that saw blade.

It is one thing if you really really want to use that blade to make a knife from... It's something else entirely if you're looking for a cheap piece of steel to make a knife from. In that case, it might be better to give up on the saw blade and find a cheap piece of steel that would be more workable.

I have a bizarre obsession with making stuff out of trash. You'd be surprised what I've made, but I don't recommend this method & certainly wouldn't call it smart.