WASP - Wild Appealing Survival Point ;)

A few years ago a friend gave me a couple of so called 'glaziers knives' (don't know if that's really the right name) - forged knives you'll find in every DIY store, used to remove the putty junction from windows. They are cheap, made from thick carbon steel & have a nice hole in the handle.
Somehow I felt I could do something survivalistic with it. They were there in my workplace and a few times I made some designs but these never went into production.

Untill now, so. 'Why not make a kind of arrowhead from it?' I thought.
A design went into real life and this 'key' came out.

Some will call it a key, others a skinner, kunai, key ring, piercing, pendant, spearhead, wood drill bit or selfdefence tool.
I'm sure that some will call it just a waste of time LOL

Well, it can be all of this and maybe a lot more. One thing is sure: this can be the smallest hottest tool you've ever had, the kind of tiny tool you'd be happy to find in your survival or emergency kit - or to wear around your neck - when the need is there. It's small, sturdy, lightweight & very easy to make.
And it's cool, but that's my geeky opininion...

The 'key' has been long time without a 'real' name, until my wife saw 'an insect' in it. 'Why not call it 'the wasp' she asked. Big head, small thorax, pointed abdomen, it's got it all!'.
And so she gave birth to the WASP...

Feasible for everyone with a grinder or grinding wheel - this is brutal basic metalworking like you've never seen.

Making time: one hour round.

Enjoy!

Step 1: Design

Go get that knife, tape the top & draw your design on it.

Step 2: Cut, Grind & Sand

I made the first two with a grinder, the third with a grinding wheel (I was forgotten I got one) - definitely the best & safest tool to use.
Take care not to overheat, this will disturb temper - spraying lubricant of soaking in motor oil are good ways to keep it cool.

Step 3: Heat Threatment (optional)

Grinding & sanding may affect steels hardness, so if you want to be sure to have a tool that's really rockhard you'll have to harden it (again).
Boost the forge (YES FINALLY I GOT A FORGE, YESSSS!!!) & heat the key to nice red. A good trick, is to put salt on the blade. Once it melts you're about at the right temperature and quench it in (clean motor) oil.
To temper it, let it cool down & throw it in the oven at 425°C (220°C) for 30 minutes (thanx member Deathcapt, your advice in the DARC has been a great help!).

Step 4: Done!

Sharp it if you want, and finish with a length of polyester rope - unbreakable & perfect to attach the point to a pole to use it as a spearhead.
Use a fishermans knot.

You can wear it around your neck (don't do this with a sharpened key - common sense), tape it to your cell phone or just add it in your survival kit.

Hope you enjoyed it, take care & good luck guys!

Step 5: Bonus: Making a Spear

This is the 'controlled environment' setup - outdoors it will be the same, but different.
Just kidding! I used a saw & a drill to have a perfect cut, out there you'll probably only have a knife.

So, cut a pole - choose straith growing species like hazelnut.
Exit bark - it will dry faster.
Cut a groove in the thickest (and most heavy) side.
Harden this side in the fire.
Make two grooves around the tip.
Put the key in the groove.
Prepare a few 'nuts' & put them on each side of the key.
Fix the whole with rope.
Wax the tip.
Done!