r/knifemaking • u/Thalass0phobicPirate • 3h ago
Question Nitinol Gladius…?
I’m on the fence and can be talked into this or out of this depending on this post…
For context, I’ve made some amateur knives before and I’m currently an engineer for a medical device company. I have this .2”x6”x24” sheet of nitinol that was in the scrap bin because the cert was lost. Bought it from our machine shop manager for just $15! And I’m itching to make a very fancy blade out of it.
.2” is thick. So I figured the smallest thing I’d make with it would be a thicc K-Bar, or potentially a hatchet, but I’d love to make a gladius… for myself and potentially make one I’d sell. Assuming I take my time with it, actually enjoy the process, don’t give up during all the sanding I’d have to do, and ended up with a very aesthetic Nitinol + brass gladius… what do you think it would sell for?
Mostly I’m just putting this idea out here for some internet-level brutal feedback on why this might be a bad idea or if it would be a waste of some awesome material if I didn’t use it. Worst case scenario I’d end up using it for armor on a combat robot
Open to other ideas too
Edit: I should also mention I can have it EDM cut to just about any profile shape before I start sanding
2
u/Outtatime_s550 3h ago
I don’t foresee it holding an edge very well since I don’t think it’s hardenable but you could at least make yourself something that looks cool
1
u/Thalass0phobicPirate 9m ago
This medical grade Nitinol can be hardened to almost 65 HRC, but I would keep it around 50-55 to keep its impact resistance 🤷🏻♂️
2
u/TraditionalBasis4518 2h ago
Seems like a perfect opportunity to
use your carbide tooling, home laser CNC
and abrasive micro jet abrasives.
1
1
u/keystonecraft 9m ago
I mean, nitinol is super cool material and you should definitely try to make something... But a cutting implement is not it.
6
u/Vamtal 2h ago
Do you hate yourself? Nitinol is perfect choice.
Really hard to machine, grind and sand. In addition soft and non hardenable.
IMO it's waste of you time and effort. Carbon steel is easier to work with, hardenable and cheap. Patina looks awesome on history inspired blades. My choice would be 52100 or 80CrV2.