Hello,

I've got a 4.5" bladed dagger profiled and ground ready for HT, but since its double edged, I'm not sure how to quench it. I usually do an edge quench, leaving the spine
soft. If I do that with this, I'll end up with one soft edge. If I just drop the whole blade in, instead of just the edge, will the second edge quench/harden correctly? I could quench it tip first, but I'd have to come up with a vertical tank.

Thanks for any help!

Gary

most ppl i know of use tip first a very large pot or a 5 gal bucket full of your favorite quenchent will do i keep a pice of sheet steel in the botum to keep from burning threw

You can make a vert. quench tank out of PVC pipe. Make it as deep as needed, put a end cap on. Be sure to glue the bottom good so it doesn't leak. I set mine in a 3 1/2 gal bucket and put dirt around it to make it stand up. Hold blade with tongs and quench point first. wear welding gloves in case of fire. If needed put a metal plate in the bottom of the tank in case you drop a hot one, Metal pipe works too but PVC is easier to work with, no welding.

I believe what you are trying to achieve is a differential quench. Middle of the knife springy and edge hard. I heat the blade and watch when the edges go red and middle of the blade is not then quench and test with a dull file. Seems to work for me.

Well, I think I'll try to just heat the edges, and leave the center"spine" as soft as possible.

I might weld up a pipe quench tank, just to have, PVC wouldn't be good, I don't like the idea of the posibility of it melting and causing fumes when the oil flames. I'd also have to get an electric heater to pre heat the oil...... I just had an idea..... I wonder if I would live through the result of useing my Mothers deep fryer......:D :lol :lol :lol

Thanks for the sugestions guys, I won't have to try it as soon now, I don't need the knife finnished when I did before. (kind of a canceled commision):(


Later,
Gary

As someone stated on this forum before.. you can use a big hot heat sink part placed in the quench tank to elevate the temperature to 120F.

Else look up band heaters.. i used the ceramic high temp types for my quench tank.

Gary,
I used 4' sections of automotive 4" tail pipe (from Napa) to make my vertical quench tanks. I had someone weld square plates to the bottom (No, I can't weld, yet) and I use plastic sewer tipe covers to cover the tanks when not in use. I have one tank filled with Park's AAA, and the other with Park's #50 oil. Be sure not to fill them to the brim, or they will overflow when you quench your blade. (Don't ask me how I know.:pat ).

I would quench your dagger tip down, temper three times in an oven, then soften the center if you wish. I read in one of Jim Hrisoulas' books that he uses a heated rod to soften the center of his daggers. After heating up the rod red hot, he lays the center spine of the blade on the rod. I have not tried it, but it seems like a good idea.