Bama Red Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I've got an old railroad spike that I would like to get made into a 'hawk. That should be feasible, based on what I've seen on YouTube, but if not, then a knife would be perfectly acceptable. It seems that the type spike needed is a high carbon (HC) spike and I don't know how to tell the difference between an HC and a regular spike, but this spike has personal meaning to me and is what I would prefer to use. Just wondering if any of the Pards on here were 'smiths or had experience with this type of work and had any good advice for me. Oh, yeah - my budget is severely limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 A good blacksmith should be able to shape your spike and then add carbon to the outer thickness as necessary. That is part of their skill set and has been done for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Howdy, I have knife made from a RR spike. Bob White Jr made it. The spike was picked up in a RR yard and heated, twisted below the head then hammered flat for about a three inch blade. I bought it direct from Bob and it has a nice sheath he made. Its just a spike, no grip or cross piece. It was not very expensive and various know it all types say it wasn't a spike. I haven't used it much, just like the look. Twisting it in the grip area was a nice idea. Best CR maybe consider a flat spring from the rear suspension of most any old American car??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 If it is a wall hanger then it doesn't matter if it is high or low carbon steel. If you want a useable durable weapon that will hold an edge, then you would want a high carbon steel spike. Any good smith will be able to tell you what the carbon content of the spike is using a spark test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I don't think you will have to worry about a railroad spike being a "high-carbon" one or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Found this thread about the carbon content of Rail Road Spikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 CR, could you post a pic of your knife or send it to me in an email? I found a phone number for Bob White, Jr., farrier, in Mechanicsville, VA, but would like to see the knife before I call him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Go to this site and you should be able to locate any number of craftsmen willing and able to make one Muzzleloading forum . Or look in the classifieds of Muzzleloader Magazine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 CR, could you post a pic of your knife or send it to me in an email? I found a phone number for Bob White, Jr., farrier, in Mechanicsville, VA, but would like to see the knife before I call him. Bama, remember, although Mr White may be a skilled 'smith, a farrier is one whose specialty is hooves and who may have minimal blacksmithing skills. There's a good deal of difference between shaping horseshoes and forging blades... By the same token, a crackerjack blacksmith may not necessarily be a farrier... I can beat out simple tools all day long... but don' let me near a horse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Exactly what I was thinking, Hardpan. That's why I wanted to see a pic of the knife - give me a better idea of Mr. White's skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Bama! I have a friend who is the president of the blacksmiths association here in middle Tennessee. Call me tomorrow and I'll get the two of you hooked up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 There ya go, Bama~!! Mebbe he could make ya one like this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Bama Red, Check your pm, ship me an emule and I have pix I just took for you. Best CR ps, this was in 1994, stamped into the knife....He could have moved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Howdy, Sent. Best CR ps-ok to post here if you like. NOT for sail at this time. Whats with the shape of the handle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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