Thread: A Gift for NDD
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Old 09-10-2004, 21:13   #4
Bill Harsey
Bladesmith to the Quiet Professionals
 
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oregon, Land of the Silver Grey Sunsets
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
This struck me as odd.

SAE 1095 Carbon Steel, hardened to C48-C55 Rockwell.

I would expect C48 Rockwell to be way too soft for a hign carbon knife blade.

What say ye, Mr. Harsey?

TR
Couple things Sir Reaper, First I'm going to have to copy all that previous Smatchet text! Thanks RL! Now about that hardness, good observation. Think of the smatchet as a double bit axe that had to be re-sharpened under crude conditions with a file and be tough enough to not chip or crack when abused. Yes that would be a little on the soft side for a knife but not an axe. The smatchet was used more like an axe than a knife. Also of note is the Welsh Cled, a short sword, which Col. Rex Applegate told me was the inspiration for the Smatchet.
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