My original 60 grade rebar article has been very popular because it covers the general questions on rebar from a field testing stand point however it largely has left out the more commonly found 40 grade, so I decided to tackle it head on in this update to REBAR: HOW AND WHY.
The 2 daggers above were forged from a single piece of random grade 40 domestic rebar. I decided to torture test the hardness, strength and consistency of grade 40 after the success with grade 60. The results were 100% positive in the fact that this material water hardened so well I myself could not believe it. I made 2 daggers out of it with identical results and then quench hardened a non worked portion to test randomly in my vice. I place the round undeformed piece in my vice and attached a wrench to it attempting to bend it. It was so hard that not only did it barely bend under pressure it actually return to shape when it finally did flex. After this testing it still appears that tempering is not 100% needed but this is my own preference. Viewing my experiments in whole I have yet to have any negative result from making blades out of either 40 or 60 grade and the hardening ability/carbon has been high in all pieces I have tested and all tests have been on totally random pieces. One piece actually snapped when I continued to forge below temp.
My steel rating:
Workability: A+
Hardening: B+
Durability: A+
I again highly recommend at least testing this your self and seeing if you get the same results.
I will be making a rebar Scandi and it will be featured in a future article with testing data.
Remember that field testing material has far more value than internet myth and metal working lore that up to this point has been flat-out wrong.
The blade above is a Rams head Athame done in Nordic bronze age inspired style. The pitting has taken a toll on the pommel but it has given it a truly ancient look and feel.
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This post is as much about locating and buying your HC fresh as it is about addressing the very frustrating problem of running into bad quality old spring steel.
Leaf and coil springs are for the most part pieces we get from cars or other vehicles that have good high carbon steel. But the main problem with this as a source for knife steel is that these pieces of steel have stress fractures. You may notice when you find leaf springs that it appears to have broken off? that is from a stress fracture where the steel met its maximum durability and snapped. This steel may be easy to recognize from its heavy rust or pitting. Heavy rust does not always mean it’s not usable but if you see considerable pitting in the steel it should be thoroughly examined before forging. This steel will often continue to pit while forging and start tearing and crumbling even when forged at proper color.The knife above was to be a spring steel Athame but it was tool old and began to crumble during the forge. I turned into a very nice non cutting piece for magic use as the material looks very cool but the pitting and deterioration does not allow this to be a reliable cutting tool.
Buying your steel is a process you should become used to early:
Many online supplier sell stock HC steel just for knife makers at very reasonable prices. I got my 1080 in 60″ lengths and it more than paid for itself without the guess-work. Your work should be known for quality and this is a good way to guarantee what you’re using is top rate steel. Its worth every penny and very easy to do.
I buy from the site above. I think the prices are good and I like buying long stock to cut to my own specs. If you still want to recycle Springs I do not blame you as I am a green guy myself but just make sure the material is in very good condition before making a knife from it.
Katala spelled in Elder Futhark. Chiseled pre hardening.
Typically a Runic engraving on a blade served as a name tag and name of the blade itself . The blade above is named “Katala” it is an Athame or Witches Dagger. If I had the blade for myself I would have written “Katala” Hröð owns me” naming the blade and owner. So if your setting out to cut Runes this is a good start for having something in mind when you begin.
Athame: A tool used by a Witch, Sorcerer or Shaman for various energy practices and rituals. Done in Nordic style with chiseled Runic marks.
Recycled Wrought Iron with Visigothic influence. ATHAME.
Wrought Iron Athame with Chiseled Runes.
Wrought Iron Athame with Antler handle.
Recycled Steel: Wroughr iron Athame with brushed finish.Cold chiseled Runes. Heat Steel to orange and allow to cool fully for best result.
Hand stamped Runic engraving. (Cold chiseled in to steel while still soft)
The most important trick to cutting Runes is being very relaxed and realizing that most Runic engraving are very freehand. This is not latin script so please by all means be creative with your engraving and try a nice organic format. It will end up looking truly authentic. Any High carbon steel tool that makes a perfect vertical line will do nicely for chiseling and remember to soften your steel before attempting. Runes are combinations of straight lines for this exact purpose of cutting them into metal, wood and bone.
The Athame is a ritual dagger used in various forms of Witchcraft to cast circles and transfer energy similar to a wand. Like any tool for any job I design my Athame or Witch Daggers for the purpose of energy work and symbolism. Modern wrought iron or 1018 is my prefered material. The more iron content the better for this use as I am a believer in metaphysics and energy utilization. Pure wrought iron if available is the finest for this type of item because there is no edge on an Athame. The blade shape is symbolic. In ancient Norse culture iron is a holy material of great importance. A Norse custom of hammering iron nails above the door is believed to guard your home from unwanted spirits or Trolls because they dislike iron.
This gallery contains some of my favorite creative pieces for this purpose.
Hardened iron blade with Runes hand chiseled. handle is mule deer antler. Design on Antler is inspired by bronze age Slavic pottery.
Rams Head With Custom Sawback.
Dragon Spear Athame with Leather vand hemp handle wrap.
Nordic Bronze Age Inspired Athame
Dragon blade, Norse handle and Labradorite accents.
The blade above is a Rams head Athame done in Nordic bronze age inspired style. The pitting has taken a toll on the pommel but it has given it a truly ancient look and feel.
The Call Of Steel 