Thread: Does anyone else shave with old car springs?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Newer ones rarely suffer that fate so when you think about modern steel quality.....

In the UK, almost no cars or light trucks have leaf springs, they went the way of running boards and cranking handles a long time ago.
Broken coil springs are very common on European made vehicles, mostly caused by poor quality springs and stiff sidewall, low profile tyres. Poor road surface maintenance is also a major factor.
When I started my apprenticeship 50 years ago, removing and re-tempering sagging leaf springs was common. I can still remember taking leaf springs to the 'Britannia Spring and Radiator Company' for re-conditioning. The name has stuck with me.

My dad had a 53 Studebaker and the leaf springs broke every few years and needed to be replaced. It had nothing to do with the brand but was a commonplace thing affecting all cars back then. No different really than cars needing to replace shock absorbers every few years.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

My dad had a 53 Studebaker and the leaf springs broke every few years and needed to be replaced. It had nothing to do with the brand but was a commonplace thing affecting all cars back then. No different really than cars needing to replace shock absorbers every few years.

Interesting..... years ago an old guy told me that Studebaker springs made great knives. I wonder if he just had a bunch of broken ones to play with?

Anyways, I guess what got me wondering about this in the first place is that while car springs make decent knives (I prefer D2 personally), they make excellent razors. I just find it interesting that they make better razors than hunting knives.

Originally Posted by DVW

Interesting..... years ago an old guy told me that Studebaker springs made great knives. I wonder if he just had a bunch of broken ones to play with?

Anyways, I guess what got me wondering about this in the first place is that while car springs make decent knives (I prefer D2 personally), they make excellent razors. I just find it interesting that they make better razors than hunting knives.

Could it be that the older springs snapped because they had a higher Carbon content and were slightly Harder???

Which would also be the reason they were better for Knives ???

Just spitballing

I'd say they were harder than today's standards. But think of the conditions of our roads compared to now. Lots of unpaved roads around, as I was growing up. Them leafs were taking a beating, no independent suspension, just straight axles w/ kingpins, that would break as well.

We had to drive our vehicle's, back then. Today...turn that steering wheel just a smidgen, and your headed for the ditch.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Could it be that the older springs snapped because they had a higher Carbon content and were slightly Harder???

Which would also be the reason they were better for Knives ???

Just spitballing

Spitballing - now there's a term I haven't heard in years.....

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Spitballing - now there's a term I haven't heard in years.....

Are you calling me OLD ???

I am a little sensitive about it since I have another birthday this month

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Could it be that the older springs snapped because they had a higher Carbon content and were slightly Harder???

Which would also be the reason they were better for Knives ???

Just spitballing

I think that is highly likely. Which is one reason I don’t really care for car springs as a skinning knife. It dulls too quickly for my preference. But it does take a mighty fine edge.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Are you calling me OLD ???

I am a little sensitive about it since I have another birthday this month

Of course. Only old people know what that means! I'm right there with you on the age thing, probably got 20 or 30 years on you. Grow old gracefully and don't be too sensitive because in 20 or 30 years, it won't matter to you at all.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Could it be that the older springs snapped because they had a higher Carbon content and were slightly Harder???

Which would also be the reason they were better for Knives ???

Just spitballing

That's exactly what I was thinking. Also I say "spitballing" too. Damn! I must be old too!