Railroad Spike Knife
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- Railroad spike knife made using the special tongs from Kens Custom Iron
Sponsored by: Combat Abrasives - bit.ly/3r73P8d
Use code "Blackbear10" for a discount on your next order
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Why spikes aren't great knives
01:01 - Adding a twist
03:28 - Fullering the transition
03:56 - Forging the blade
05:24 - Adjustments
06:02 - Grinding
08:03 - Hardening (sort of)
09:57 - Finishing
11:32 - Completed knife
To Provide financial support use one of the links below.
Buy me a Coffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/JohnSwitzer
www.paypal.me/BlackBearForge
/ blackbearforge
Video equipment used in this video
Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera - adorama.rfvk.net/J50gq
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Lens - adorama.rfvk.net/6bb7yV
Rode Wireless Go microphone - adorama.rfvk.net/YggLRm
Anvil provided by; Fontanini Anvil and Tool
Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
If you are curious about some of my other interests, you may like my second channel
John Switzer
/ @johnswitzer
Find me online at:
www.blackbearforge.com
www.blackbearforge.etsy.com
/ blackbearforge
/ black-bear-forge-20986...
Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
My blacksmiths apron
www.Forge-Aprons.com use code BBF
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhammers.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforge.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithbolt.com/
New anvils - www.oldworldanvils.com/
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils.com/
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore.com/
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.
Thank you so much for all that you do. I learned much of what I know of blacksmithing by watching you and a few other blacksmiths on youtube. Thank you so much for taking the time to actually SHOW how things are done and explain the process. You are a great teacher.
Wow, thank you!
Really nice spike knife. You are demonstrating to this knife maker one reason why I need to be a better blacksmith. Right off the anvil, that thing looked great.
That was a nice way to spend having my Sunday morning coffee. Love that new belt sander BTW. Cheers!
I used to make all kinds of things with my great-grandfather when I was younger. Listing to you work steadily, focused, and at ease in your workshop took me back to some very fond memories. Thank you ❤️ Please continue to make wonderful crafts and tools! 🌟
I made that spike you are using in the video been making them 35 plus years all love seeing someone make knives out of them and you did a great jod I’m going to try it myself soon the spikes are made at about 2300 degrees we make about 300 a minute on 100 plus year old machines that’s still running good
I live 40 feet from a railroad track in Maine. Hundreds of these spikes line the rail side. Not once have I ever looked upon one as wicked as this one. New subscriber. Thank you friend
Great job John.pretty cool project. Thanks for sharing with us. Stay safe and keep having fun around there. Fred.🙏🏻🙏🏻👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👋👋
Nice. You did that fast, the blade shape happened so quick it looked easy. See you next Sunday.
great job and explanation. ive made several of these though not practical to carry because of the weight they where completely functional and held a decent edge because knowing the steel aint good for cutting tasks i forge welded a 3/8 allen wrench to the spike to use as the cutting edge
My grandpa showed me how to make a knife and fork out of a railroad spike I was 13yrs old at the time, never forgot how to do it.
Thanks, John. I've learned more from you and Roy Adams than any other blacksmithing channels. Using that small vice as a third hand is a priceless innovation.
Beautiful example! I really like the way you fuller in the transition, mine are always a little sloppy in that area so I'll try that next time!
And regarding tempering/heat treat, even if it doesn't do a ton of good for a railroad spike knife, it's great practice for when you move up to more durable metals (1084 is wonderful for beginners, as I'm sure you know). Also, Tandy Leather makes a pretty cheap knife sheath kit that's perfect for this size of knife, the combo then makes for a great "box opener" present.
Thank you so much for the video!
That's so cool!! I see so many spikes just laying around, just going to waste! That knife looks awesome! 🔪
As far as railroad spike knives are concerned, yours is really nice!
Well done John 've seen you make a few spike knives now but for someone who doesn't do it often this one came out top notch. Thanks for sharing.
New, to me at least, addition as in the hardy hole vice. Handy for that spike 👍
Beautiful spike knife.twist look cool. Love clean bevels 👍👍🔥🔥🔥
Thanks 👍
I wish this guy was my grandpa
i love the knife ball
I learn so much watching you work. This is a fun hobby
Thanks for watching!
Hello John
What a beauty for me . You Made a wonderfull looking knife
The ege may not stand as long as a so called normal steel knife but it is a eyecatcher and that counts
Thank you for this Video
Take care and have a good week
Yours Frank Galetzka
Thanks for this, found you on facebook and have enjoyed your videos since.
Welcome!
Railroad spike i hope i have one . already here in Iraq it is used to making (Palm knives) because it is made from high carbon steel..nice job.. like from Iraq
I have cut the point off the spike and stick welded a piece of 1084 to the spike to forge a quality blade from. Makes a much better knife and looks the same! Many retired RR workers like these knives but mistakenly think the spike material is good iron for knives. Nice video!
that's an absolutely gorgeous anvil you've got there bud
It's made by Steve Fontanini at Fontanini Anvil and Tool, used to be Rat Hole Forge. I just picked up a 250# one from him, love it! John has the 460# Anvil.
Love your videos, very relaxing and informative
Still a nice knife for around the shop, looks fun to make. Thank you for sharing John.
Been watching you for 2 years and as always you do a great job of explaining the practical side of it.
Great explanation!!! Thank you!
Nice job, John! Everything you do, you do well! As always, it is a great experience watching you work and teach!
Beautiful knife! Well done! 👌🏼
THANK you for sharing
Nice work. Great video. Thank you for sharing
I love the little hardy clamp
One of the viewers sent that to me a few years ago.
Beautiful
Seeing how you love to share your knowledge with others I thought I would share some with you. I just learned that hc does not stand for high carbon, it stands for Highway Crossing. They use a different spike because of the concrete that goes beside it.
That's such a cool and useful Hardie tool!!!! I need dis!!
My forging partner and I were asked by our friend (who started blacksmithing with us, and whose shop we still use) to make his father a RR Spike knife before be passed away last year. I'm not a huge fan of RR Spike knives, but there are reasons (sentimental for instance, or for practice, or because they can be interesting) to make them. Thanks for one of the better step-by-steps that I've found on how to make one, because I need to get some practice ones done before I make the memorial one.
I'm glad it helps
Good looking knife nice project to complement an all-around collection of blacksmith possibilities
Mate, it's a whole bunch prettier that the one I made at a course.
Beautiful!!! 😍😍
Thanks for the video John!
love that wilton grinder there is just so much you can do with a rr spike
Love to watch you work
Very cool I have held on to a few spikes from 40 years ago to make something like that . Thanks
AWESOME VIDEO. I don't care if it's made out of clay. The cool factor gives the right of passage. Plus. If I made it it cuts and looks good.... Mission accomplished🔨🔥
AMAZING GOOD JOB
Hi John. Your videos are always full of inspiring little details. It never would have occured to me to use a hobby vice on the anvil. I'm not sure when I'll need that trick, but hopefully it will come to mind when I need it.
Another viewer sent that to me a few years ago. Pretty slick idea
THAT ANVIL YOU HAVE IS VERY INTERESTING AND I BET VERY EXPENSIVE ‼️🇺🇸😎☕️
fontaninianvilandtool.com/
The world is ending when John makes a knife!!
Glad you mentioned the fact that this isn't good knife steel. I've tried to tell people I know that they just won't be a good knife. They can look nice, but they just aren't going to be quality blades.
Wow man, you make it look easy
Very nice job John 👏👍🏻
Great video
I loved this!!
Always appreciate your hammer work.
Great job I learn so much from you and look forward to your next lesson. As always you are honest and factual because you said the metal in a spike is not knife quality where other sites would never tell you that.
Very nice knife, despite you disqualifying the steel grade. Enjoyed very much, as I have a small pile of spikes, but have yet to venture through this rite of passage. Enjoyed, cheers!
Nice John!
you're lucky you have nails to forge cool stuff.
Here in France, we have big screws for the train tracks.
It's complicated to forge something cool with that!
I like it , I made one almost the same twisted the handle then flattened the sides added antler slabs on handle .
I made a non twist one not long ago fun to make hand sharpening and a little grinding
Awesome video. I saw this come across my news feed on Facebook completely randomly. I’ve never done any black smithing before (worked with metal as a welder though) but now I really want to try it out lol
Holy crap, I'm in love with that hardy vise. What a brilliant idea! I'm gonna make my own as soon as I come across another cheapo machine vise in my travels. :)
You do great work, It's a pleasure to be able to check it out. 😁
Thanks for the visit
Super Knife
Great stuff mate 👍
Very clever!
The little comments/tips you give all along are SO valuable to a newbie like myself.
Thank you so much! (Now, I just need to find some classes in the Denver/Springs metro area)
Glad it was helpful!
Pretty slick idea with that little vise setup!
Someone sent that to me a few years ago, very handy
Thanks John I've been waiting for you to make a knife , And as you say it's not the best steel to use but it is good practice . :)
Never thought I'd see the day. Great work as always
This actually the 8th knife based video, so that makes just under 1%
@@BlackBearForge oh yes this is true, I forgot about the billhook and other such implements. 1% is a good average. Always love your videos. Your filmography is incredible. such Leaps and Bounds over the past few years I've been watching. I enjoy the way you put them together just as much as I enjoy the projects
Pretty cool. The handle reminds me of the Raptor by Gil Hibben.
cool
Just discovered your channel, love what ive seen so far. Ive always been intrested in blacksmithing but never known how to get in to it, would live to do it for a career, but i think im a bit old to get an apprenticeship in it now unfortunately
Thanks!
and thank you for the support
Very nice shape & thickness of the blade!!
Thanks 👍
Not bad for a blacksmith,…I’m impressed
I had one in the 90's that had a length of harder material welded on for the edge. No idea of the metals content. Held a edge well.
I have 2 five gallon buckets full of rail road spikes I’d love to donate to a Blacksmith but I don’t know of any around my area
Where are you, I'm getting into blacksmithing
Lotta guys use all kinds of power tools and presses, i like watching you for your hand technique. Never know when the lights'll go out... thanks for the upload.
Thats certainly the way I work most of the time. I tend to do things by hand for the videos because I know not everyone has those other tools.
Another great tutorial. Thank you. I really like the look of a RR spike knife. I'm going to try to stretch out the blade, split it and forge weld a better quality piece for a good cutting edge, same as when forging a hatchet. After putting a twist on the handle I plan to slim down the grip for comfort and aesthetics. Could I get your opinion, please?
Nice video
Am going to make the tomahawk out of one as soon as my anvil is set up
Quenching in water hardens high carbon steel more than quenching in oil. I used to make hammers out of A36 mild steel that way and they turned out good. These were 5 pound short handled hammers.
Great video, as always. Cool to see that anvil vise making an appearance again, too. If you remove the secondary jaw, it's a lot easier to get your work in and out of the vise quickly, though you can see how the angle of the jaw helps to trap the spike's shank in place. That's a handy feature at times!
That little vise may be the best option for this anvil. The pritchel hole is so tall it won't really grab a holdfast. So thank again for sending it out/
@@BlackBearForge I'm glad you find it of value. I've got another version I developed and you might find it a good fit for your shop...... I'll see if I can get it prettied up and send it your way.
They're great for a clamshell around O1
If you like O-1...i prefer fast quench steels so add in some W2
SOLD - This knife is available in my Etsy shop - SOLD
www.etsy.com/listing/1050609110/railroad-spike-knife-hand-forged?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1
It's sold out because it's wicked beautiful. Awesome workmanship my friend.
I'm not a knife person but I would like to know more. Could you explain the difference types of quality of steel for knives and what's best for EDC or hunting? Maybe even make a high quality knife to compare?
Edit: sorry, just finished the video and you touched on some steels people generally make better knives of
Usually you want a steel with a higher carbon content as this makes the steel harder and therefore maintains the edge longer. If you would like to know more about some of these steels, download the heat treaters guide app. God bless and good luck.
There are many videos on different steel.John at Black Bear Forge is not a big knife maker. Just not his cup of tea. I was surprised he made þis one.
When it comes to knives and blades ; the best channel is "That Works" -- they do forging blades videos but also instructional and explanation videos ---
I've always used offcuts from old farriers rasps to create the blade. Works well and costs very little for materials.
Such a huge amount of possibilities w a spike!
Even though the spike itself isn't lended to the best blade, it does forge weld nicely it steels that do.
Practically speaking perhaps not the most profitable process. However there is a maker satisfaction level that can out weigh the profit margin IMHO.
Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
I bet railroad spikes would be good for making sheet metal forming hammers. Like ones for making copper bowls, cups, horns etc
Make Your Work. Tnx for showin on Video
They are fun to make. I use mine for digging in the dirt and everything at work I wouldn't use a good knife for. John a quick tip, those Scotch-Brite belts if you have an old one cut a chunk of it and glue it backwards to your platen.it will get rid of that thumping sound. Smoother grinds 👍
Interesting idea. Does it end up with slightly convex grinds due to the soft surface? That wouldn't be an issue for many knives, but for the carving knives its a real problem.
@@BlackBearForge not as much as you would think. Try it yourself see what you think I would love to hear your opinion on it
nice job master..:))
I think railroad spikes lend themselves nicely to make coat hooks or something. Turn the head upside down and it becomes rather useful for hanging things on
Great video 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Can you make blacksmithing tools out of railroad spikes? I would love to see a video on making tongs out of railroad spikes or something similar
Beautiful knife. Need to see how you forged the peening hammer you use all the time. Thanks
Hi John. Just enjoying another one of your videos and I noticed something that you or no one has spoke of that I recall lately. I noticed that your "New" 300 year old Fontanini Anvils patina and wow does it look awesome. It caught my eye while watching you there and really enjoying how good that thing looks after only a short while of having it. I wish that I aged that well but that's a different argument ,,,lol. Tell the wife Hello and keep hammering. The RR Knife looks good also by the way and like the new belt sander as well. Cheers-Chuck~
That patina is they way they come from Steve
A laminated piece of O1 or 1095 would make you the King of the Railway Spike Knife. With the right dies for splitting at the power hammer you may find them worthwhile. Just go real simple on the handle. Maybe 50 a year in batches of 10 at 300 a piece. With your touch marks, I'd pick one up!