Heirloom

I am wondering how feasible it would be to have a knife made from a hammer and the handle made from the handle. My father passed a few years ago and he was a carpenter all his life. This is the last hammer he swung. I think it would make a better heirloom and stand a better chance of being remembered for future generations in that configuration. Any suggestions or idea what it would cost?

I'm not a knife maker or metallurgist so can't speak for the feasibility of the materials, but as someone who's father was also a life long carpenter I'm looking forward to the answer. That is a neat idea if the materials work. I do know the steel used in hammer heads is a high carbon high quality steel forging so one would think It would work. Earl

Not something I would advise. The steel isn't high in carbon compared to blade steels so its edge holding ability would be modest (similar to a RR spike knife). I'd be more inclined to get a good woodworker to make a nice presentation/display box and keep it the way your dad used it.

My 2 cents worth...

Wow. I figured there would be some input........

I've seen some nice tomahawks made from hammers and when forging the smith can create a channel to inlay some high carbon blade steel into for the edge then hammer to final shape - it's a VERY interesting thing to watch and I even think there is a youtube video or two on that same subject.

I agree with Tim 100%; I have forged knives out of metals that will not make a good knife with the understanding they were merely a keeps sake.
Another thing you can do with your dads hammer is to have the hammer plated Chrome, Copper and the options on the handle are endless and have it put on a plaque. Price wise you'll come out cheaper having it plated.
Then again, you might not want to do anything to it and keep just like you dad left it; I have some things from my Grandfather and it's nice to see them in their original form.