Hi,

Ran out of time to send out a blade to get HT so going to try it myself. The blade is S30V drop point hunter with a tapered tang. I just want to list if I have the steps correct.

1) Normally @110-1300 for two hours
2) Let furnace cool, means turn off the furnace and let cool over night?
3) Harden @1950 for 30min
4) Air quench
5) Temper twice @400 for two hours each, returning to room temp between
6) Clean up

If I missed anything please let me know

Jim

Drac: Normalizing a ground blade is not required, nor do I recommend it. Also, I'm assuming you're protecting the blade with a SS foil wrap during HT. 1950 for 20-30 minutes is fine, then either air quench (in the foil) or press quench between metal plates.

Jim,

It sounds like you're on your way. One thing to keep in mind with S30V is that you need to get it from critical temp to 1000 degrees asap. I used it almost exclusively for the first year that it was out and finally called Crucible for H/T ideas. That's when I started press quenching it. This will give it a faster cooling since the heat is taken off by conduction rather than convection. Even then, I would dunk the tool wrap package quickly in water once or twice before press quenching to get that fast partial cooling (make sure that you have water proof folds in the foil).

Gary

Well that was a mistake :eek: . Luckily I tried a quick test on a scrap knife. RJ, I figured that I could just sand of the scale. Boy, what a learning experience! The pits that developed were so deep 200 grit didn't get near them and S30V doesn't like sanding after hardened. Before I continue with this operation I've got to get some foil in. I also do need to get some metal for the press plates as well, the air just didn't do the job as well as expected. I just wish the learning curve didn't require the sacrifice ground blades.
:rolleyes:

Thanks for the help,
Jim