Railroad spike knife with wood handle how to#

You’ll need a forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, and a grinder to complete this project.įorging a knife is a skill that takes practice and patience. When you’re done, you can finish grinding the blade and attach it to a wooden handle to complete this project. Then, clean up the edges of the blade with your hammer to refine its shape and create a rounded appearance. To do this, you need to heat the spike and hammer it down until it becomes flat. This will create the shape of the blade and give it a smooth edge. Grind the Bladeīefore you can use the blade of a railroad spike as a knife, you need to grind it down. With a little practice you’ll be able to forge a hook that will last a lifetime and beyond. In the end, you’ll have a hand forged railroad spike hook that looks as good on your wall as it does on your kitchen countertop or bathroom towel rack. The aforementioned feat of forging a hook from a railroad spike might actually be a bit harder than it sounds, but it isn’t impossible with a little patience and elbow grease. This will create a fun and functional twist on the usual rectangular hole in the middle of your piece. To get the most out of this small feat, add a twist using a wrench. To make the best possible use of this unique material, you’ll need all the necessary ingredients.įirst you’ll need to heat the metal and hammer it down to about a 1/4 inch thick. Forge the Hookįorging a hook from a railroad spike is one of the more impressive feats of the blacksmithing arts. Just be sure to practice! It can take a while before the blade is perfect. This process can be a little tricky, but it is worth it. This can be done using a hand file, a bench grinder, or an angle grinder. The next step is to hammer the blade into its final shape. You can also use a belt sander to smooth out rough edges and get the blade to its desired length and width. Once you are done forging, use a file to clean the blade and give it its final shape. However, it is important to keep the steel hot throughout the forging process so that it does not break easily.

They are malleable and can be easily forged into the desired shape.

Railroad spikes are an excellent metal for making knives. This will make the blade strong and durable, and it will be easy to sharpen after you use it. The next step is to heat the spike and hammer it into a knife blade shape. It may not be a very hard blade, but it will hold an edge and work well for a letter opener or prybar. However, most metals recycling centers aren’t strong enough to handle spikes, so you’ll need to find a metal recycler who is willing to accept them.Ī good bladesmith can shape steel into almost anything, and a railroad spike makes an excellent base for a knife. If you have a railroad spike that you want to get rid of, you can recycle it at a metal recycling company.

They are often used in rail fastening systems, but they can also be used for more creative projects. Railroad spikes are a common component of the railroad industry, and they serve an important purpose in ensuring the safety of trains.

Railroad spike knife with wood handle how to#

Learn how to make a knife from a railroad spike with this DIY project. They can also be used as interesting artworks like knives, bottle openers and so on.īladesmithing is an ancient art that’s gaining popularity again. Railroad spikes are an important part of the rail fastening system.