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Please check out page on Leaf Spring Knife Making for details on how to cut and shape the annealed spring steel.

We blew air from a wet dry vac which was duct taped to an exhaust pipe. Any air source will work. A leaf blower, or even a hair dryer will supply the extra oxygen needed to bring the coals to sufficient heat.

The pan will hold the coal. Steel can be placed on to of the hot coals.

Simple Fire Pit Forge can be built with some bricks. We used a pan with holes in the bottom and placed this on top of the bricks. Air will be blown from under the pan.

After the knife is cut and shaped and the majority of the polishing is done the material can be heat treated to re harden it. The process again uses a forge or torches to heat the material to a non magnetic state. This time the material will be quickly quenched in oil. Please note that heat treating will make the material hard but it will also leave it brittle. For a knife we want the material hard enough to hold an edge but do not want the blade to break.

The last process is called Tempering. Tempering will make the blade less brittle. Use and over and heat the blade to approx 350 degrees for three hours. Then let it cool slowly in the oven. If done correctly the blade should be hard enough to hold an sharp edge and strong enough to withstand a lifetime of outdoor use.

Knife makers have several options when thinking about materials. Knives can be made from files, large circular saw blades or from car leaf springs. Leaf springs are inexpensive and are readily available at any junk yard. 

The process of knife making is fairly simple. The first step is to anneal the spring steel. Use a forge to bring the metal to cherry red and a non magnetic state and then let it cool down gradually. This process softens the material and makes it much easier to cut, shape and grind into the desired design.

DIY Easy Fire Pit Forge for annealing and hardening high carbon steel for knife making

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Fire Pit Forge