<<english isnīt my native language>>

Of course, but your command of it is far superior to my limited use of German. Your description is enough of a clue for me - they were bits for a parting tool for a lathe. Alloy could be any high speed tool steel from M2 on up to super alloys. My practical knowledge of high speed tool steels is limited to what I've used. It seems to me that they would make very practical small knives. Larger knives, I'm not so sure - in my experience they are not as flexible as more ordinary knive steels and they are not practically able to be differentially tempered - a uniform hardness throughout. I think that's why tool alloy knife blades tend to be thick bladed, but I may be wrong about that.

In any event, your use of parting or cut-off lathe bits is ingenious - I am going to make a couple myself and try them out. M2 and M5 bits are cheap... thanks for the idea!

Regards,

Tom