For some of the projects listed below, vices and grinders are also helpful. Working with railroad spikes requires all the basic blacksmithing equipment: a forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, and punches. What Tools Do I Need for Railroad Spike Projects? Photo by U.S. This twisted railroad spike knife goes beyond traditional knives to show the recipient you really care: the blade has a signature curve, natural wax finish. Im proud to announce that Ive only accidental. If you are a beginner blacksmith wanting to create some functional pieces out of railroad spikes, or a seasoned smith who needs some project inspiration, check out the following project ideas and their corresponding YouTube videos. Hello and welcome back to Sams Smithy Today I am finishing up the railroad spike knife I started yesterday. What do I do now I took my angle grinder and got the rough stuff off. The shape of railroad spikes is also very accommodating for different types of small projects like the ones detailed below. 32 Posted OctoI finally got all the stuff together and made a rought railroad spike 'knife.' Much harder than it looks on YouTube. Why work with railroad spikes?įor beginners wanting to refine their hammering technique and get more comfortable with the blacksmithing process in general, railroad spikes are a very forgiving, inexpensive material to practice with. Although nontraditional, railroad spikes are common items that are reworked by blacksmiths. Like other crafts, there are no true rules that dictate what materials blacksmiths use. Heat the blade into a red/orange heat and quenching it in either water or oil after that toss it in the oven at around 350-400 for about an hour and let it cool. 1.2.10 10) Railroad Spike Wizard Face Railroad spikes are very cheap to acquire and quite forgiving for beginners looking for smaller projects.

Finishing a railroad spike knife