scandalous! Heresy!

silver_pilate said:
Kevin, I think you may have stumbled into a side job there. I wonder what the demand is for "high performance mower blades for those who are too particular to settle for good enough." :D I bet you could do a run of modified mower blades with L6 inserts and they would sell like hotcakes to the right crowd.

--nathan
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Some of these guys might be interested: http://www.letsmow.com/ :)
 
I have used some recycled steel early on, however my interest from almost the beginning was in damascus steel. One of the most important things in choosing alloys to make effective damascus steel(effective for cutting,strength,ect.) is their compatability. Rather than chasing down all of the info on the various types of recycled steel, I choose to use new materials with certs. That way I and my customers can have confidence in the performance of every single bar of steel. So I will always adcocate using new steel, though I do understand using a recycled piece now and then for sentimental purposes.
The other point I would like to make is that in the US the steel recycling industry is one of the oldest and most comprehensive, Millions of tons of steel are melted down and purified every year here and around the world, and this was going on long before the current "green" movement had any momentum at all. I contribute several hundred pounds every year to this effort.
 
Kevin R. Cashen said:
So years ago I cut out 1" strips of the edge and welded in L6 (real Crucible L6 with chemistry sheets attached ) inserts and heat treated them to... well lets say a higher level :3:
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But I guess the REAL question is... did you make bainite L6 mower blades? :9: You know... just in case you have any gun barrels or car doors hidden in the grass. :shush::nothing:
 
Kevin R. Cashen said:
:thumbup1: I think the exact same thing when reading mower blade threads, since I don't even think the steel in lawnmower blades are good for lawnmowing. I would say the around 45HRc is probably accurate since these things just don't have the strength to go more than two mowings without resharpening in my yard. So years ago I cut out 1" strips of the edge and welded in L6 (real Crucible L6 with chemistry sheets attached ) inserts and heat treated them to... well lets say a higher level :3: Now I rarely get off the mower since I can just run over anything on my way and only resharpen once or twice a year. And I am really particular about cleanly cutting without fraying the grass, so I like'em sharp! I don't know about D2 but a good high carbon steel heat treated for proper impact toughness and edge holding used on your mower will change your entire perspective about lawnmower blades, much as less knives:3:.
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Leave it to Dr. Evil to forge out L6/pot metal san mai riding mower blades. LOL.:biggrin:
 
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