Spring steel as knife blade?

[Mr. Whippy]

This question arose from another thread (which I didn't want to pollute ).  Would automotive spring steel make a decent knife blade?

[Nikos]

It surely seems so... (clicky)

[AimlessWanderer]

Absolutely - that's what Ghurka Khukris are typically made from 

EDIT: Looks like Nikos just pipped me to that one   

[dks]

As said previously, traditionally, springs, saw mill blades and files have been used to make knives.
As is my understanding, however, you need to first use heat, followed by low rate cooling to lower the temper of the steel so that you can work on it (shape it, cut it) and then again use the heat, with faster rate cooling to harden the steel and give it the properties (hardness, elasticity) you desire.
I have, however seen these springs just cut and bolted onto a metal pipe bit to make a simple pick axe

[edcgear]

As said previously, traditionally, springs, saw mill blades and files have been used to make knives.
As is my understanding, however, you need to first use heat, followed by low rate cooling to lower the temper of the steel so that you can work on it (shape it, cut it) and then again use the heat, with faster rate cooling to harden the steel and give it the properties (hardness, elasticity) you desire.
I have, however seen these springs just cut and bolted onto a metal pipe bit to make a simple pick axe

Here we can't buy decent steel's in small batches (few kg of any good blade steel) and when we can, the price is 

So we use spring steel, file steel, bearings, tool steel etc. and as mentioned above you need to temper it down to make it suitable for work...

So, yes you can use it...

[Sparky415]

But if you are not careful It will rust the minute you turn your back on it 

[Mr. Whippy]

Very interesting!  I had no idea.

[asupernothing]

As the others have said, you need to anneal first (heat and allow to cool very slowly). This softens the metal and makes it workable. Then after the shaping and initial grind, you harden the blade by cooling quickly (typically an oil quench. Tempering after the quench gently softens the steel and increases strength while decreasing hardness.

Give it a shot, whats the worst that can happen? Just work safely.

[asupernothing]

And pics.

[Sparky415]

 

[Mr. Whippy]

That appears to be an old Land Rover leaf spring pack.

[Sparky415]

That appears to be an old Land Rover leaf spring pack.

There was a 'Rover' stamp on one piece 

[Mr. Whippy]

That appears to be an old Land Rover leaf spring pack.

There was a 'Rover' stamp on one piece 

I've pulled a few of those apart over the years...

[Sparky415]

Did you save me some of the springs? 

 

[2xTap]

Yup, the stuff makes for some excellent blades. Particular for hard use choppers. I own several custom Ranger Knives. Here's a few of them........



The top 4 in this pic are made from 5160 steel, a spring steel used in truck springs.

2xTap

[Sparky415]

They look nice 2xTap