[TheForge] lawnmower blades

[Bob Brashear]

Roger R Degner wrote:
> A few years ago had someone at a conference give me a blade blank he said it
> was a 10XX and I think 1060 but could be wrong.
> Draw out a blade into a small cross section.  Heat to nonmagnetic and quench
> in water.  Stick this hardened but not tempered piece in the vise with a
> little sticking out.  Wearing eye protection lightly hit the end sticking
> out with a hammer.  If it breaks like glass it is high carbon, if it bends
> over after repeated blows it is mild steel.
> 
> You can try this with an oil quench which is not so severe.
> 
> 
> 
> Roger R Degner

Thanks for the tip, Roger. Very nice. Lawnmowers are shuddering in fear!

Bob