How to Forge A Knife from an Old Railroad Spike

By Derrick Thompson October 31, 2022 1 mins read 129 Views

Meet the Expert

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A full-time bladesmith for more than 10 years, Jason Kraus has appeared on the hit shows Forged in Fire and Master of Arms. He operates Northstar Forge in Carver, Minnesota.

You’ll Need a Gas Forge

A gas forge is by far the most reliable and controllable type of forge to operate. Coal forges may have old-world charm, but they come with a steep learning curve. To get up to speed quickly, start with gas.

This forge is simple — a propane tank feeds a burner in an insulated chamber. Find one online for as low as $150; search for “gas forge for knife making.”

Bring Up the Heat

After the forge has come up to temperature, get the steel up to working temperature. Jason secured the railroad spike in a set of tongs and placed it in the forge until it glowed bright orange — about 1,500 degrees.

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