Awesome Steel

The Hydraulic Press Channel has figured out that you can get metal objects to explode even more dramatically by pre-scoring them. In this clip, they start by crushing a series of progressively larger ball bearings, then try the same with one they put cut marks into. The slow-motion footage is really impressive.

Ukraine-based blacksmith Shurap has made Damascus steel from a variety of unusual items. For his latest blade-making experiment, he took stacks of staples, nested them into star-shaped clusters, added steel flux powder, then forged and hammered them to create a pattern we’ve not seen on a knife before.

Black Beard Projects shows off an interesting way to create a steel ring. The blacksmith started with a rusty bandsaw blade and chopped it up into flat pieces. He then welded, forged, and hammered them multiple times to create a Damascus pattern before twisting the metal into a cylinder and refining it into its final form.

Steel rebar is a stiff metal bar typically used to reinforce concrete. But like any metal, with enough force, you can bend it to your whim. Metalsmith Gavin Clark shows us a series of maneuvers he used to tie a length of 1/2″ rebar into a clove hitch knot. We’re impressed that he did it without applying heat.

This sped-up video shows how workers produce those big steel wheels for trains. They start with a rod of molten-hot metal, flatten it with a mechanical hammer, work it into a clean round disc, press grooves in the wheel, then punch a hole into its center for an axle. Here’s how a more automated factory does it.

There are so many kinds of steel used in knife blades, and they all sound pretty fancy in the marketing materials. How do you figure out which blade steel is best for your needs? Everyday Carry put together a concise guide to different kinds of steel, and recommends a number of great knives based on their blade material.

Who says your toolbox needs to be ugly? Character believes toolboxes should look as good as they work. Their stylish toolboxes are made of 22-gauge steel with a colorful powder-coat finish, a modern look, slide-out drawers, and non-slip silicone liners. They also sell color-coordinated tool kits and organizer bins.

Handmade in Japan’s Nagao Kanekoma factory, these pocket folders have a Wharncliffe blade made from Warikomi steel, wrapped in a satin brass handle, and comes in three sizes. The simple design and antique style have been passed down through five generations over 125 years. It also comes in satin black.

Factory Monster takes us inside a steel foundry in Korea that receives over a million tons of scrap metal each year, melts it down in massive industrial cauldrons, then extrudes the metal into H-beams for use in construction. There’s something so satisfying about the warm glow of molten steel.

This premium pocket multitool from EDC maker Lautie comes in titanium, copper, and zirconium versions, each with a stainless steel tip. Its tools include a bottle opener, box cutter, pry bar, and a 1/4″ hex bit driver, set into a keychain-compatible wedge shape inspired by the head of a crane bird.

This steel and aluminum shovel collapses down to 24″ x 11″ x 2.75″, and opens up to support up to 1000 pounds. It adjusts between 24″, 37″, 51″ length and its spade-style blade digs through the toughest dirt. At 6 lb. 5 oz. it’s pretty light, but if you’re looking to minimize pack weight, check out DMOS’ all-aluminum Delta Pro.

A lightweight, skeletonized knife from Belnap Custom Knives. The expert blade maker has been making a custom version of this ulu-style knife that sells for $175 and is ramping up for a more affordable production model. Each is made from D2 tool steel and comes with a fitted Kydex sheath. View a 3D model of the knife here.

Hammers typically have a solid metal or wood handle and a solid metal head. But this unique hand tool by Hassan Abu-Izmero (with the help of his trainee Damian) conceals that structure under dozens of stainless steel washers welded together. The washers appear to be purely aesthetic, but they sure look cool.

Every bed we’ve ever slept on had visible legs or a platform to hold it up. But HomeMadeModern created an amazing bed that appears to float off of the ground. It has a tubular steel frame with its legs inset substantially from its edges. Its headboard is made from live-edge cedar and has small built-in shelves.

One reason metals are so wonderful is because they can be melted down over and over again to form new objects. In this video from Rob Bonifacio, he shows us how he took some Canadian copper pennies and dimes, layered them with high-carbon steel and forged them into a Damascus blade for a knife. Part two here.

Add your initials, a serial number, or other identifying text to your projects with these heavy-duty steel stamps. Hit them with a hammer to leave an impression in wood, leather, or soft metal. Each 36-piece set includes letters from A to Z, numbers 0 to 8 (9 is 6 upside-down), and an ampersand. Choose from 1/4″ or 5/16″ sizes.

A store-bought pizza cutter is usually made from stainless steel. The guys from Waterjet Channel decided to make one from Damascus steel and titanium instead, so they teamed up with Jesse and Jeff from Vegas Forge to create this impressive wheel for slicing with style. Though we’d hate to get cheese all over it.

Go inside of Italy’s Beta Utensili factory, where they take pieces of raw steel, heat them, hot roll, and machine hammer them into their rough shapes, before cutting them out, sand blasting, grinding, tumbling, and refining their openings before hardening and plating each piece into a finished combination wrench.

Grim Workshop’s wallet card includes a useful array of tools to help you start a campfire. In addition to its scraper bar, its thick, high-carbon steel card can be struck against its ferrocerium bar to get sparks going. It also packs a magnesium bar to increase heat, a choice of three different blades, a file, and a saw.

A normal 6-sided die weighs about 0.2 oz. This 4″ stainless steel die by Justin Voss is a bit heftier. This video shows how he used a CNC plasma cutter to slice up the steel, then cleaned up the edges with a grinder and welded the pieces together. If you know how to weld, you can pick up a kit of pre-cut parts on Justin’s website.

A very special pocket multitool from Swiss Army knife and watchmaker Victorinox. The SwissTool BS is murdered-out in black oxide steel and includes 29 useful functions in one, including pliers, screwdrivers, saws, wire tools, openers, knives, rulers, a file, punch tool, and more.

While modern toolboxes are often made from plastics, Japan’s Toyo Steel has made theirs out of metal since 1969. They offer several varieties, including a trunk-shaped model, a curved, camber-top box, and a cantilever design that splits open in the middle. Plus, they come in unexpected colors like gold, coral, blue, and pink.

This substantial storage bin is a big upgrade from plastic crates. It’s made from 22-gauge steel and rolls on heavy-duty casters. It’s great for tools, art supplies, or valuables you want out of sight. It has a large main compartment and a removable tray. It measures 20″w x 20″h x 15″d and comes in matte black and classic red.