Trad Gang
Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Roughcountry on September 10, 2008, 10:11:00 AM
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I've got a peice of bandsaw blade from a sawmill and wondered what kind of steel it might be.
The piece is 8" by 4 ft and a bit ove 1/8 thick. It's still pretty polished but has rust spots so must not be stainless.
Thanks for any help, guesses are welcome. RS
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L6 Usually I think.
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8"wide? DANG that's a big bandsaw blade. You must have some awful big trees up there.
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It's probably 15N20, which is basicly 1075 with 2% nickel added. It's really tough stuff, but not really the best for edge holding. It's real easy to sharpen, though, and easy to heat treat, as well. I've never seen a bandsaw blade that tested as L6. Some of the older round sawmill blades do, tnough.
Todd
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All my research has shown that band saw blades are made from L6 - at least that is what I have read on the net? Todd's post makes me wonder? I like to use band saw blades and banding strap to make damascus billets so I really hope it is L6?
Bob Urban
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I, too, agree that it is most likely 15N20 from Uddeholm.
That's a big enough piece that it would be worthwhile to have analyzed!
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With 2% nickel, bandsaw blade material works great in damascus, as it etches lighter than simple 10xx steels or O-1. Not the best choice to mix with O-1, though, for other reasons. L6 is the best match for O-1.
Todd
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I think this peice came from our local sawmill and is a little over 8" wide if you count the teeth.
I did cut a small peice from it with a dremel for a scraper. Seems to work well enough, got two bows done with it.
I'm waiting for a buddy with a plasma cutter to get done chasing elk around so I can cut more.
Thanks for the replys guys.