[no.5enfield]

Hi all,
My uncle is retiring from the U.P. Railroad, and we would like to get him a knife made out of a rail spike. I've seen plenty of pics, but can't find one for sale! I have seen some really nice customs, twisted-handle, etc... but that isn't what we want, we want something that is instantly recognizable as a spike. Anybody know where to look?

[hso]

I'm not sure what you want since googling "railroad spike knife" gives scores of examples.

Do you mean you want the head of the spike and shaft to be unchanged and the blade hammered out of the tip and 2/3 of the shaft?

[no.5enfield]

That's exactly what I am looking for. I did find a bunch of google links, however they were all dead ends.

[KenWP]

I have seen some that you knew with no problem they were railroad spikes. I have a few spikes to try and do the same. I have seen a fellow that makes both the spike knives and horse shoe knives and they both look like what they are made out of.

[jbkebert]

I will take a look in Topeka tommorrow. A guy in town makes them and is doing I think a very nice job. He is new to knife making and was selling them for around $30 each. I bought some butterflies he made out of railroad spikes and steel plate. My wife liked them and they are hanging off the side of the shed.

[no.5enfield]

That would be awesome! Thanks

[conwict]

http://bronksknifeworks.com/railroad-spike.htm

That guy sharpened my knife and was all-around friendly. He does the work himself, why not give him a call and see what he can do for X amount of money. Should be cheaper than what he has listed there if it's super-simple.

[50 Shooter]

Try this link http://cgi.ebay.com/Hand-Forged-Railroad-Spike-Fixed-Blade-Drop-Point-Knife_W0QQitemZ220473848724QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335543f394&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I work for U.P. as an Engineer, glad to hear that your Uncle escaped their clutches.;)

Here's another, little different. http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-BLACKSMITH-FORGED-RAILROAD-SPIKE-KNIFE-W-SHEATH_W0QQitemZ260473913615QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca574810f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[jbkebert]

I called my buddy who sells them in his archery shop. He is out right now but put a call into the guy to get a few more. I'll check back in a couple days and post pics when they get there.

[no.5enfield]

Thanks for all of the tips folks, I am gonna purchase one of the ones off of ebay that 50 shooter linked!

Thanks 50 shooter, and I'll pass along your congrats to my uncle!

[Rem.222]

There is a guy in Killdeer ND that makes them. Fired Steel Knives is the name I remember right. Twist spike handle one way for right handed people and the other for left handed. About $65 two years ago if memory is right

[Mp7]

http://bronksknifeworks.com/images/Rspike1.jpg

Awesome looks.

[PandaBearBG]

My goodness! never seen one before! That is a MAN's knife, I kinda want one....

[Zeke/PA]

There has been some recent local interest in Oyster shucking knives made from railroad spikes.
Apparently the spikes have some different heat treating, the ones with a raised letter "H" on the head being most desireable because of higher carbon content.
Looks like a project worth exploring.

[7X57chilmau]

Yup, Zeke's right. There are 2 basic classes of RR spikes, those that have no headstamp tend to be made from 1020 mild steel or similar alloy.

Those with H or HC stamped on them are "high carbon" verions. By knife making standards, they don't qualify as high carbon, being basically 1040 medium carbon steel. That's just enough to get a serviceable edge on a knife, but it will not be a great performer. It's low enough carbon that the knife can be simiply qenched to harden and no temper is needed. I've used these spikes to decent effect on to forge socketed spearheads. When HT'd as described above, the blade can be bent, but is springy enough to flex a good 20-30 degrees before taking a set.

It'd make a reasonably serviceable knife, or a great piece of conversational art. Edge holding would be OK, like a cheap kitchen knife. Razor edge holding would be a pipe dream. I sharpen my spear with an axe file. It's quite similar in hardness to my cheaper hatchets.

Anvilfire.com has an i-forge demo on how to make these, if anyone's interested.

J