Tire iron from large lug wrench

**Frank S** · Dec 23, 2020, 03:22 PM

When was the last time you used a jack handle or lug wrench when changing a flat?
EXACYLY. So what use is a lug wrench for a 1 ton truck other than slapping someone beside their head with it.
This lug wrench has been under the back seat of my old 93 crew cab probably since it rolled away from the dealership.
I am always in need of tire irons so why not straighten it out and forge the end down just a little to make an otherwise unneeded tool into something more useful

Tire iron from large lug wrench-20201223_121727tire.jpg

it is 29" long and now has a very slight hook on the end plus I flattened the tip a few more inches back to make the taper longer

**katy** · Dec 23, 2020, 07:12 PM

Good idear, them wheel wrenches are GOOD steel.

**TheElderBrother** · Dec 24, 2020, 01:01 AM

Would you say they were a good resource for the home knifesmith? I can start keeping an eye out for them at flea markets and scrap yards...

**DIYer** · Dec 24, 2020, 03:32 AM

Thanks Frank S! We've added your Tire Iron to our Wheel and Tire category,
as well as to your builder page: Frank S's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Tire Iron by Frank S

tags: tire, hand tools

**katy** · Dec 24, 2020, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by TheElderBrother

Would you say they were a good resource for the home knifesmith? I can start keeping an eye out for them at flea markets and scrap yards...

I would suspect that they would make good knives, they're tough, they'll bend with a lot of force without breaking. Maybe someone that knows a lot about different steels will chime in w/more info.

Gotta go, Merry Christmas to all.

**Frank S** · Dec 25, 2020, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by katy

I would suspect that they would make good knives, they're tough, they'll bend with a lot of force without breaking. Maybe someone that knows a lot about different steels will chime in w/more info.

Gotta go, Merry Christmas to all.

I am by no means an expert on all steel grades, and I am not a blade smith either. Just like gun smiths those guys are artisans.
While I have made a few blades over they years just as I have made parts for and repaired several firearms this does not qualify me as either.
That being said, a few things I do know about some of the various grades of steel is that not all jack handle/ lug wrenches are equal I've seen some that I wouldn't trust to make cotter pins out of and some that would probably bash in the skull of the Hulk or superman.
one thing to look for is if they are forged rather than just hot stamp formed. When finding them in salvage yards or flea markets look at the socket end if it looks like it has been deformed and has stretched on the lug nuts then it is probably just softer steel the larger diameter longer ones with a socket end that would fit on say the nuts of an older 1 ton truck it quite possibly could be S7 tool steel also known as Bearcat, supershock7, Arapaho, or other names. Pretty good for making things like chisels or punches but I wouldn't know about knives.