machete blade

[Jaeger]

This is another post about making a knife, somewhat similar to Tinstar's, but with a difference. I recently bought an old machete with the purpose of cutting it up and making several smaller, period correct knives out of it. The blade is stamped "Made in Sheffield England", which is the reason I bought it. I plan on putting it into a bed of hot coals and heating it red hot, then allowing it to cool gradually to anneal it so that I can work on it, then taking the finished blades, heating them red hot, and quenching them in oil to re-temper them. I would appreciate any corrections, comments or suggestions from our panel of experts.

 

[LRB]

It would be difficult to make suggestions without knowing what steel it is, or what steel it may be close to being. Many Euro steels are much the same as ours, but with different labels. I would make a WAG that it is possibly something close to 1080/85. If so, you could do as you describe. I would recommend canola oil as the quench, heated to about 125°. Temper at 425°. You might want to do one that way, then test it for the properties you desire in a knife.

 

[crockett]

From Wick's comments I hope you understand that first you quench. Heated oil disapates heat better- that's why you slightly heat it. After the quench (outside with a flash cover over the quench in case of a flash fire) the steel is brittle and needs to be stress relieved- that's the temper where you "cook" the blade for an hour or two at a certain temperature.
If all this is unfamilar- you'll need to research and/or ask more questions. Different steels often need slightly difference techniques- that's why Wick gave a temperature and time for that type steel.

 

[Jaeger]

Thanks Wick and Crockett! Good info...and glad you clarified the red hot bake + quench in 125 degree Canola + temper at 425 sequence, Crockett. I think I missed that. I'm looking forward to working with this stuff & making some good 18th Century style knives. I've already got a board of some good curly maple for the scales.

 

[Birdman]

J before ya cut up that machete ya might want to look into its value as it is, sure would be ashame to chop up a valuable item. If the value is worth it then go for it, ought to be some decent steel in it.Personally I'd go with the stock removal method n just go slow n keep it cool, but thats just me, enjoy n have fun with it