Farriers' rasp knife

[John L]

Does anyone know what steel is normally used for rasps. I have several old ones and am wanting to make bowie style knives from them. Think 1500 and quench in fast oil? Temper back to 400 or so? Thanks for any help here.

 

[JasonByers]

I use diamond brand farrier files and through a little research I found out to treat them like 1095. I usually give them a good soak at 1500 and quench in McMaster Carr fast quench. Oh and be sure to normalize first. Temper at 400 twice for 2 hours. Seems to work for me.

 

[Nebulae]

good advice it seems that most files/rasps are similar to 1095 with carbon % between .9 and 1.2 although this is subject to variation.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Some are case hardened.

 

[Todd Robbins]

Some are definitely case hardened, as Stacy said. I quench tested a Nicholson farriers rasp a few months ago that turned out to be case hardened. I was very surprised that a Nicholson wasn't 1095. Glad I tested it. You can test the very end of the tang and not lose much steel, just to be sure you've got something hardenable.

 

[Kentucky]

Yea, I hate to say it but several newer rasps arn't high carbon anymore. Like "diamond" brand..Most of the better brands are good stuff though..

 

[godogs57]

I make quite a few knives from Farrier's rasps and before I work one up, it gets tested. HT to non-magnetic and quench in water. If its good, it will snap like glass when struck by a hammer. I like to hang about an inch or two over the edge of my anvil and one sharp blow with the hammer will tell me what I want to know. If it bends even a little, I assume it is case hardened...snaps cleanly in two? Got a good one.

I only use the old stuff, as it is way more consistent from blade to blade in my opinion. Preferred brands? Nicholson is my gold standard. Black Diamond is good too. Save Edge works good too, as does Heller. I stay away from Belotta...Brazilian made and very inconsistent quality. Ran into an old file with a "Montford" brand stamped on it.....the knife I made from it was incredible in every way....naturally, I have never seen one since...just my luck.