5 Reasons Why Railroad Track is Good for Knife Making

The most important factor that determines the durability and strength of a knife is the type of metal used to make it. 1095 steel is one of the best materials for knife makers because of its high carbon content, ease of forging, and sharpness retention. But what about a railroad track? Is it also good for knife-making?

After doing some research, and not finding much information on the subject, I decided to try it myself. I was really surprised with the outcome and eventually found out that there are several benefits to using railroad track for knife making.

In this article, I will share with you 5 reasons I think railroad track makes a good steel for knives.

Is Railroad Track Good for Knife Making?

Railroad track steel is an excellent choice for making knives. Not only is it easy to find and relatively affordable, but the alloy also makes for a blade that is strong and durable, which are the most important qualities for any knife.

The 1084 or equivalent type of hot rolled steel has just the right amount of carbon and manganese, giving it great strength yet focusing more on toughness than hardness. Additionally, its tempering temperature gives a good color contrast between the core and the edge from heat treatment.

With all these factors combined, railroad track steel can provide an excellent foundation for your knife-making endeavors overall.

5 Reasons Why Railroad Track is Good for Knife Making

Now that we know railroad track steel is good for knife making, let’s take a look at five key reasons why this type of steel makes an ideal material for your next blade.

Durability

Railroad track has been designed specifically to withstand wear and tear in the most extreme conditions and is literally built to last!

It can handle being exposed to the elements like rain, snow, saltwater, dirt, and more. That makes it a great choice for making knives that will stand up to heavy use or harsh environments. 

Not only is it durable enough to make a knife with, but you can also use railroad track for making a DIY anvil as well.

High Carbon Content

The high carbon content of rail tracks makes them tough yet malleable when heated. This makes them ideal for forging into different shapes and sizes without worrying about breakage or cracking.

The steel also takes on a unique patina over time which makes each knife unique and adds character. 

Easy to Forge

You won’t be able to forge an entire railroad track into a knife, but it is possible to cut sections of the track and use them as knife blades.

I like using the smaller sections as they are easier to heat and shape. Plus, these sections can be found at most scrap yards for a very reasonable price.

Cost-Effective & Abundant

One of the best things about railroad track is how cheap it is compared to other types of steel used in knife making such as Damascus or 1095 blades.

You can often find scrap tracks at local scrap yards or online suppliers at a fraction of the cost of buying new materials from a specialty store.

In addition, there are plenty of railroad tracks across the world so they are readily available no matter where you live! 

Versatility in Design

The versatility in design offered by railroad track steel allows you to create almost any type of knife imaginable.

I’ve forged a small pocket knife as well as a mid-sized chopping knife. They both ended up with a unique look that only comes from using railroads track as your primary material.

You may even want to try using an old chunk of railroad wood as a handle to top it all off!

Conclusion

Railroad track steel is a great choice for knife making because it is strong, durable, cost-effective, and easy to forge.

It also offers plenty of versatility when it comes to design which means you can create almost any type of knife from pocket knives to chopping blades.

There are plenty of railroad tracks available out there so you won’t have any trouble finding the material for your next project.

If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable steel, a railroad track is definitely a great option to consider!