This page is a work in progress…

 

They say “What is useless to one person is valuable to another“, and this holds true in the realms of bladesmithing and blacksmithing. I cannot think of another craft where it is more true, where a smith can take something which somebody has discarded as junk and transform it into something beautiful and useful.

 

Please note: The junkyard steel  for blacksmiths & bladesmiths table, shows information only for the most common type of steel used for that Application as it applies to bladesmithing and blacksmithing. To see a full list of steels known to be used for an “Application”, click on the name.

 

ApplicationCommon SteelsCharacteristicsPossible Uses
Automotive Axels (drive)4340, 4140, 1040, 1045, 1050Good impact resistance, strength, toughness. Low to moderate edge retention. Moderate to high hardenability.Suitable for high-strength tools, not ideal for blades; versatile in general blacksmithing, used for hammers, axes, and structural components.
Ball Bearings52100, 440-C, M50High wear resistance, good toughness, good edge retention. May be mixed steel and case hardened.Ideal for high-durability blades, offering excellent wear resistance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance in diverse environments.
Bearing Races52100, 440-C, M50High wear resistance, good toughness, good edge retention.Ideal for high-durability blades, offering excellent wear resistance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance in diverse environments.
Bandsaw Blades (Sawmill)15n20, 1075High hardenability, good toughness, moderate edge retention, high flexibility.15N20 is ideal for durable, sharp blades, particularly in Damascus steel patterns for its bright etching, and for resilient, corrosion-resistant cutting tools.
Bits (drill, router)M1, M2 (HSS)High to very high wear resistance, high hardenability, good to high toughness, good edge retention.Highly suitable for cutting tools and blades, offering exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and heat tolerance.
Bolts (Grade 8 -Metric class 10.9, 12.9)4137, 4140, 4340, 5140,1541Good strength, toughness and tensile strength. Good wear, abrasion, and impact resistance. Moderate edge retention.High-impact tools like hammers, axes, and large blades, offering exceptional toughness, resistance to wear, and durability under stress.
Brake Lever1030Not usually used for blades. Good toughness, easy to forge and weld.
CamsS7High shock resistance and toughness, moderate edge retention.
ChiselsO2High strength, good toughness, good edge retention.
Clutch Disk1070Good toughness and edge retention.
Clutch Springs1060Good balance of strength and ductility. Good edge retention.
Coil Springs (Car)5160Excellent toughness and fatigue resistance. Moderate edge retention.
Coil Springs (Truck)9260High shock resistance and good toughness. Moderate edge retention.
Connecting Rods4340Good strength toughness, and fatigue resistance. Moderate edge retention.
Crankshafts4340Good strength toughness, and fatigue resistance. Moderate edge retention.
Cutters (Bolts)6150Good shock and wear resistance. Good toughness, moderate edge retention.
DriftsS7High shock resistance and toughness, moderate edge retention.
End MillM2 (HSS)High wear resistance, good toughness, good edge retention.
Farrier Rasps1095High carbon, easy to sharpen, good edge retention.
FilesW1High hardness and edge retention.
Gearsticks1045Moderate wear resistance and edge retention.
Gears (Transmission)8620Not used for blades. good surface wear resistance and toughness.
Hammers1060Good balance of strength and ductility. Good edge retention.
Harrow Disks1080Good toughness, easy to heat treat, moderate edge retention.
Hay Rake Teeth1095High carbon, easy to sharpen, good edge retention.
Jackhammer BitsS7High shock resistance and toughness, moderate edge retention.
Knives (Machine)M2 (HSS)High wear resistance, good toughness, good edge retention.
Knives (Woodworking)O1Good wear resistance, toughness, and edge retention.
Leaf Springs5160Excellent toughness and fatigue resistance. Moderate edge retention.
Mauls1045Moderate wear resistance and edge retention.
Mower Blade1045Moderate wear resistance and edge retention.

 

Sources

 

Drive Axels:

🔪 usaxle.com

🔪 MotorTrend

 

Bearings & Races

AST Bearings

JVN Bearings

 

Bandsaw Blades

onlinesupply.ca (big shout out to Ryan for the help)

 

Bolts

Fasteners Data

Tanner Bolt

 

Bits

ICS

ITM