Hi guys. I've been enjoying looking at the great knives/art here and that started me thinking about a bunch of old circular sawblades that I have lying around in my shop. Some are tool steel and others are carbide tipped. Which of these can be used to make a knife blade and how can I cut them to shape? I have only the most basic metal working skills, but I love making my own tools and hunting gear.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Dave.

im not claiming to be a pro at all, so i might be wrong. but from what i've read these guys on here saying, carbide tipped stuff is something to avoid. it is possible, but not as desirable. i could be wrong though. i made a few knives from some old metal files i had that broke/unusable. they came out really great, plus they are already really close to the dimensions you need.

hope it helps,

JL

Use the blades that do not have the carbide tips, there are a couple of ways to cut out the knife blade shapes. 1. draw the outline of the blade then use a drill to drill holes around the shape then use a hack saw to connect the dots. 2.use a 4 1/2 inch grinder and have at it. careful not to get it to hot.

One recommendation if you use the saw blades.

Please grind the knife blade into a usable shape. I see some blades that obviously were a cicular saw blade at one time. The blade is dropped to an extreme making it unpractical for comfortable use.

Thanks guys. I haven't looked here in a while. I have a few old all steel blades that I can play with. I'll experiment with a small skinner. Is it safe to assume that the all steel blades are tempered all the way through? I'm a wood worker with only a small amount of metal working knowledge, But I love to learn. I recently used a dremmel to cut a broadhead out of an old hand saw blade and it went really easily.    
Dave.

QuoteIs it safe to assume that the all steel blades are tempered all the way through?

David,
        Does this question mean you intend on letting the existing heat treatment serve for your blade?

I was hoping to use the blade as is, if the original heat treatment would be ok. I don't have much in the way of metal working tools- just a big vice, dremmel tools, files and a low temperature blowtorch. I was going to slowly grind out the profile and use files from there on.
Dave.

You can get away with that providing the original heat treat is hard enough. Also, there is no need for the torch under your circumstances. If you decide it needs to be reheat treated, just holler and we can help a little. Keep us posted.

Thanks for the advice. I will draw the pattern on the blade so the cutting edge of the knife lines up as close as possible to the edge of the saw blade. That way, if the temper is not even, I'll get the best of it where I need it most.
I'll also cut real slow and use a wet rag as a heat sink to keep the metal cool.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Dave.

You sound like you know what you're doing. Let us know if there is anything at all we can do.

Thanks. Will do.    
I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions when I get down to it.
Dave.