is rebar suitable for blades?

[mrmeval]

Rebar is mild steel, it's not worth the time or effort to convert it to a good blade steel. It can however make a fantastic pommel, giving weight to the blade and the patina it will aquire is good.

Some information on the different steels
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife

Admiral steel supplies small quantity specialty knife steel and bulk construction steels.
http://www.admiralsteel.com/products/blades.html

 

[madmike]

Rebar for most domestic applications is high sulfur, low carbon and no good. If you're doing a lot of pattern welding and can get it to weld, it's okay filler.

Files can be exceptional and are generally W1 or W2 water hardening steel that will take a nice temper line. Cheap Chinese files are hand-forged, case-hardened mild steel with the teeth cut with a CHISEL and can shatter from cracks while being treated. Stick to Nicholson or other brand names.

Car springs can be excellent, and any metal car spring will usually be a 51XX or 52XX series. But springs can get cracked from stress or impact.

There are assorted structural, bearing and other alloys that do work well if you can find them. I also recommend Admiral Steel, as mentioned above. Good people.