Page Contents
- 1 Quick Answer
- 2 What is Railroad Track Made Of?
- 3 Can You Make a Knife Out of Railroad Track?
- 4 What is the Carbon Content of Railroad Tracks?
- 5 Can You Heat Treat Railroad Tracks?
- 6 How to Make a Knife Out of a Railroad Track?
- 7 What Tools Do You Need to Work with Railroad Tracks?
- 8 What are Some Tips for Working with Railroad Track Steel?
- 9 What Kinds of Knives Can You Make from Railroad Spikes or Tracks?
- 10 Is Making Knives from Railroad Tracks Legal?
- 11 Where to Buy Railroad Tracks for Knifemaking?
- 12 Conclusion
Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to make a knife from railroad track steel. Railroad track steel contains high carbon content which allows it to be hardened through heat treating. This makes it suitable for use as a knife blade. The process involves cutting a section of the track to size, grinding and shaping the blade, drilling holes for the handle, heat treating, and attaching a handle. With some basic metalworking skills and tools, old railroad tracks can be repurposed into functional and unique handmade knives.
What is Railroad Track Made Of?
Railroad tracks are made from steel alloys that contain between 0.65% to 0.95% carbon. This high carbon content gives the steel strength and hardness while retaining some ductility and shock resistance. The majority of the track is composed of ferrite and pearlite structures.
Most railroad tracks installed today are made from head hardened rail steel. The head or the top portion of the rail is case hardened via heat treatment to make it wear resistant. This allows the tracks to withstand the heavy loads and friction exerted by passing trains. The web and base portions are left more ductile to prevent cracking.
Old railroad tracks were manufactured from carbon steels like 1040 or 1060 steel. These contain around 0.40% to 0.60% carbon content. This type of steel is widely used for making knives and tools as it can be sharpened and holds an edge well after heat treatment. Upcycling used railroad tracks into new handmade knives is a popular DIY project among bladesmiths.
Can You Make a Knife Out of Railroad Track?
Yes, used and discarded railroad tracks are very suitable materials for making knives. The high carbon steel alloy has all the right attributes for the blade of a durable cutting tool. Here are some key advantages of using railroad track steel for knives:
– Toughness – The steel is designed to withstand immense loads, vibrations, and stresses of moving locomotives. This makes it sufficiently tough for knife blades.
– Wear resistance – Railroad steel maintains its hardness when heat treated. This allows it to retain a sharp edge over prolonged use.
– Corrosion resistance – Steel alloys used in railroad tracks contain elements like chromium and nickel to improve weathering properties. This also makes them suitable for use in knives.
– Readily available – Discarded and expired railroad tracks are easy to source as scrap metal at relatively low costs. This makes the material very accessible to DIY knifemakers.
– Distinct patterning – The profile of worn railroad tracks leaves a distinctive pattern on the blade surface which many consider aesthetically pleasing.
As long as proper heat treatment is performed, carbon steel from railroad tracks can be modified into durable and fully functional knives for various applications.
What is the Carbon Content of Railroad Tracks?
New railroad tracks have a carbon content between 0.67% to 0.80%. The carbon percentage is usually highest at the head of the rail at around 0.75% to 0.95% carbon. This enables hardening of the top surface through heat treatment.
The web or the center portion of the track contains 0.65% to 0.75% carbon. Older tracks made before the 1950s could have carbon content up to 1.0%.
This medium to high carbon composition allows railroad steel to be hardened up to Rockwell C 60 yet retain some shock resistance. When heat treated, the steel achieves optimal toughness and edge retention – properties crucial for knife blades.
So in terms of carbon percentage, railroad steel is comparable to 1060 or 1075 steel commonly used in knife manufacturing. This means after proper heat treatment, railroad steel can attain a Rockwell hardness of 55-58 HRC suitable for most knife applications.
Can You Heat Treat Railroad Tracks?
Yes, railroad track steel can be successfully heat treated at home to enhance its hardness, strength and edge holding capabilities. Here is a brief overview of how to heat treat recycled railroad steel for knifemaking:
– Cutting – Cut a section of the track to size for your blade using an angle grinder or hacksaw. Avoid overheating the steel during cutting which can alter its properties.
– Normalizing – Heat the steel to around 1600°F and allow it to air cool. This reduces internal stresses from previous shaping. Repeat 2-3 times.
– Hardening – Reheat the steel to around 1450°F until glowing red. Quench it in oil or brine solution to rapidly cool it and harden.
– Tempering – Post heat treatment at 300°F-500°F to reduce brittleness and refine the hardness.
Proper heat treatment transforms the molecular structure of railroad steel, taking it from soft annealed state to much harder martensitic form. Always use appropriate safety gear when heat treating railroad steel.
How to Make a Knife Out of a Railroad Track?
The general process for making a knife from recycled railroad tracks involves these key steps:
1. Design and Template
Decide what style of knife you wish to make and create a template. Trace the outline onto the section of railroad track steel.
2. Cutting the Steel
Use an angle grinder or hacksaw to cut out the rough profile of your blade. A cutting torch can also be used. Wear safety glasses and work gloves.
3. Grinding and Drilling
Use a bench grinder and files to shape the blade profile. Grind and bevel the edges. Drill holes for handle scales using a drill press.
4. Heat Treating
Heat treat the blade based on the steel composition to enhance hardness. Allow it to cool slowly after quenching.
5. Final Shaping
Finish grinding and sanding the blade to achieve smooth, even surfaces and sharpen cutting edges.
6. Surface Treatment
Apply protective finishes like oil or lacquer. You can also acid etch the blade for additional corrosion resistance.
7. Handle Making
Cut, shape, and drill holes in handle materials like wood, bone or antler. Attach handle slabs using epoxy resin or pins/rivets.
8. Final Polishing and Honing
Polish blade surfaces using sandpaper. Hone cutting edge to hair-popping sharpness. Add attachments like guards and sheaths.
With some metalworking skill and the right tools, making a knife from railroad steel can result in a durable and high performing blade. Always work safely when grinding metal.
What Tools Do You Need to Work with Railroad Tracks?
Some essential tools needed for cutting, grinding and drilling reused railroad tracks include:
– Angle grinder – For cutting sections and rough shaping of the blade profile
– Hacksaw/circular saw – To cut railroad sections to size
– Bench grinder – For heavy material removal and bevel grinding
– Drill press – For drilling holes and attachments
– Bench vise – To securely clamp the steel during drilling and grinding
– Files – To refine blade contours and smooth surfaces
– Sandpaper – For finishing the blade and preparing it for heat treatment
– Tongs – For holding hot steel during heat treating
– Quenching oil/solution – To rapidly cool and harden steel after heating
– Propane forge/torch – Provides controlled high heat for hardening and tempering
– Clamps – To hold the knife while epoxy cures during handle installation
Having the necessary tools makes DIY railroad steel knifemaking much easier. Always use proper protective gear like gloves and eyewear.
What are Some Tips for Working with Railroad Track Steel?
Here are some useful tips when working with recycled railroad track steel for knifemaking:
– Check composition – Use a file or grinder spark test to estimate carbon content. Higher carbon steel throws more sparks.
– Pre-straighten – Strike the steel with a sledgehammer to remove any bends before cutting.
– Control heat – Avoid overheating thin sections which can burn the steel. Quench immediately after hardening.
– Dry thoroughly – Ensure the steel is fully dry before handling after quenching to prevent cracks.
– Relief holes – Drill relief holes if shaping convex curves to prevent stress cracks during hardening.
– Blade depth – Maintain a blade thickness of around 1/4 inch for adequate stability and strength after heat treating.
– Handle fit – Account for thermal expansion when drilling handle holes. Test fit handles before bonding.
– Section orientation – Consider the original profile orientation when cutting sections to maximize use of the head hardened surface.
– Safety first – Always use protective gear and work cautiously. Railroad steel is unforgiving if hammered or twisted when hot.
With some trial and error, railroad track steel can be crafted into eye-catching, rugged knives. Stay safe and have fun!
What Kinds of Knives Can You Make from Railroad Spikes or Tracks?
Here are some popular styles of knives that can be made from sections of used railroad spikes and tracks:
– Small fixed blade knives – Pieces of railroad spikes make for great compact utility knives. Easy to grind and heat treat.
– Bowie knives – The rectangular cross section of rails are ideal to make classic clip point bowie knives.
– Heavy duty choppers – A section of track cut from the web makes an imposing, sturdy chopping blade.
– Chef’s knives – The head hardened surface can be used for the edge bevels on kitchen knives.
– Hunters and skinners – Railroad steel takes and holds an incredibly sharp edge perfect for skinning knives.
– Neck knives – Small narrow sections work well for compact neck knives with full tangs.
– Art knives – Decorative collectible knives made by selectively etching railroad steel look visually stunning.
– Forged knives – Folding or hammering a railroad spike into shape when hot can produce unique forged knives.
With some creativity and skill almost any style of the knife can be adapted using recycled railroad steel. The finish and handles are up to your imagination.
Is Making Knives from Railroad Tracks Legal?
In most regions, it is perfectly legal to repurpose discarded railroad track steel into handmade knives as long as you own the steel. Railroad companies sell or scrap old tracks that are removed from service. This surplus steel can be purchased by metal recycling facilities or private sellers.
As a private individual, you are usually allowed to buy sections of used railroad tracks for metalworking projects. However there are some important legal considerations regarding railroads tracks:
– Theft of railroad property is illegal – Removing or stealing tracks still in operation constitutes theft.
– Transportation – Transporting loose railroad tracks may violate weight limits or create unsafe conditions on public roads.
– Noise/pollution – Cutting and grinding railroad steel creates noise and sparks that may violate certain municipal codes.
– Zoning laws – Using power tools and running a home knifemaking business may not be allowed in some residential areas.
Provided you obtain the railroad steel through legal sources, exercise common sense safety and don’t violate noise or business ordinances, it is perfectly legal to repurpose railroad tracks into handcrafted knives for personal use.
Where to Buy Railroad Tracks for Knifemaking?
Used railroad tracks and spikes for knifemaking projects can be purchased through these sources:
– Scrap yards – Many metal recycling and scrap yards sell old railroad track sections at reasonable prices.
– Local ads – Check classified ads, craigslist or community boards for informal sellers offering railroad steel.
– Construction sites – Sometimes railroad tracks removed for new projects are sold to recyclers or contractors may provide leftovers.
– Flea markets – It’s not uncommon to find stands selling bundles of railroad spikes at discounted prices.
– Ebay/Etsy – Individual collectors and craftsmen resell railroad track sections online via marketplaces.
– Train stations – Historic rail stations, museums or private railcar owners may replace old tracks that can be purchased.
– Knifemaking forums – Fellow makers often post about available recycled railroad steel for projects.
With some searching, sections of tracks and spikes for DIY knifemaking can be purchased at very reasonable costs. Always verify the source legitimacy and ownership before buying.
Conclusion
Making knives from recycled railroad steel combines useful artistry with sustainability. The durable, high carbon steel takes beautifully to grinding, shaping and heat treating resulting in eye-catching blades. With some metalworking skill and the right tools, discarded railroad tracks can be transformed into fully functional knives for all purposes. Not only is the process rewarding, it also repurposes materials likely destined for the scrap yard into handcrafted items with character. Whether you are a casual hobbyist or professional knifemaker, recycled railroad steel provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to create classic knives that reflect America’s rich railroad legacy.