HSS???

[jsh]

I picked up a fair sized box of reamers. All of them were used up to say the least.
Could these be forged and workable into a knife blade? Buddy of mine has been making knives for a few years. He has never had HSS in the size of this nor tried to forge any.
Any of you folks have experience or in put I will pass it on to him.
Jeff

 

[Randall Marx]

Hi Jeff
I have zero experience, but the idea sounds quite interesting. I look forward to hearing about how it works!
Randall

 

[T Bredehoft]

Be aware, HSS is not really malleable. Someone here reported that they's melted some. After it cooled it still couldn't be filed. I'd be concerned that a blade would brittle as glass. Not my study, just an impression.

 

[jsh]

Thanks gents, I will pass it on to him. I know he is getting ready for his first try at Damascus. So this may be put on hold for a while
Big reamers, 1-1 1/2", they are abused to say the least. What can one repurpose them too?
Jeff

 

[T Bredehoft]

Boring bars. Snag grind all the teeth away but one, work it into a cutter.