Found this old leaf spring in an antique shop in Arkansas. My best guess it that it was a spring for the seat on a horse drawn wagon or buggy. I'd have to guess that it's over 100 years old.
I thought it would be cool to make a few really rustic knives from it.



Except for the sheath it's as finished as it's going to get. I really don't know if I'll make another one out of the spring or not. I don't think I could sell it for enough to justify all of the hours that I have in it but it's more rustic than anything I've ever done.

yep those would be hard to sell

great use for some ancient iron.

I like that look.

Very cool.

I like the look!

How did the temper come out using that old "spring steel"?

Did you soften it to shape it or just shape it in the spring form?

I heated it to 1400° then flattened it, then took it to 1550° and then turned the oven off and let it slowly cool in the oven overnight to anneal it. After all of the work was done I heat treated it and it came out at 63 HRC. Then tempered it twice at 400° for a final hardness of 59 HRC.

Well maybe not, I've already sold it and have an order for another one.

Very nice and at a Black powder rondavous I bet you would get a lot of interest. I could see one in a fringed and beaded sheath easily.

A patch knife and a hunter set would be cool.

Pretty sure that was a sarcastic comment.

Didn't think about that, senior moment I guess

I would be interested depending on price

Duplicate

Mighty fine.

I luv carbon steel rustic!

In a moment of financial embarassement, I sold one that could be its twin!



along with the BlackHawk convertible!

Stupid me!

ya!

GWB

Well that one is sold but I have enough of the old spring to make a couple of more. If interested drop me a PM.