KITH Preparation Class - Heat Treating

[Ray Rogers]

The good news is that whatever you are doing you are producing a serviceable blade. There is room for improvement but you're in the ball park. Maybe your tempering oven reads low and 425 is actually 450 or even higher, I don't know. You could try 400, I hesitate to go below that. If 400F won't do it then there's probably something wrong with the quench (too hot or not hot enough). Hopefully, we'll know more after the rest of the testing.

Now that you know you're close, you should make more of those blades, grind them thin, and do cutting tests yourself. Modify the tempering and the quench slightly for each blade until you zero in on what gives the best results in your situation. That's what serious knife makers do ....

[racjarrett88]

Just ordered more steel. Think i will grind some small blades and do some serious testing. Any tests you know of will be helpful. Will do brass rod, cut cardboard and compare different temperature for tempering and maybe do some whittling. Any other suggestions?

Austin

[Ray Rogers]

Try to cut a 2x4 in half - not by chopping but by whittling. This will tell you about your edge geometry but, even more, it will tell you if you have a good handle design. Pain and blisters = bad handle ...

[fuzzy]

sun spots cause all sorts of problems I do my heat treating at night full moon works best. lol

[racjarrett88]

Can you recommend a temperature for quenching oil?

[piggy]

Originally Posted by Naboyle

Flaming poop on a stick.... That's a new one I'll have to remember!

I thought that was pretty funny myself. Where that kid comes up w/ this stuff

[Ray Rogers]

125F is commonly used for most non-professional quenching oils...

[Naboyle]

Got a confirmation that you received my knife Ray. Can't wait to see the results. Hoping I got my $hit straight.

[jdale]

My construction crews must have known i am on a schedule with my knives. Since we broke ground we have had a set quit time. However every day this week they have worked an additional 2.5 hours a day. That being said I'm not going to make the date for the the knives to ship with the main batch. But I should have my two on there way to ray Monday morning

[Ray Rogers]

Nick,

Actually, you got confirmation that the post office here received your knife, I picked it up just two hours ago. Looks pretty good for a slapped together knife. You and Wayne both ground yours thinner than the average I've been getting and I think that's a good thing.

I'll do my stuff over the weekend and have the whole package on its way to Eli on Monday....

[Naboyle]

Either way I knew it made it there. My 9yr old informed me that it was received. Guess he never said that you actually got it lol.
That was my first piece of homemade blue jean micarta. Been sittin around for a while so I figured I'd try it out on this knife.
Since we had the talk about edge geometry I started going thinner in everything since you said that making them good slicers usually gives you a good blade. Still tryin to get my grind lines straight. And when they aren't even I just keep grinding till I'm outta room!

[Ray Rogers]

Thought I'd let you nervous Nellies know that I sent the package containing all 8 of your knives to Eli this afternoon. Generally, I'd say all the knives had good hardness, a little tweaking might be need on some (details will go to the individuals) but, basically, you're all doing pretty good overall. Eli's testing should help us fine tune your evaluations ...

[Naboyle]

Who's nervous?!? I'm excited

[Eli Jensen]

Hey Ray, I mailed out my "knife" last saturday. Minus the blade . . . . But the hardness test area is intact. Its clay treated so I marked two spots to be tested. Thanks.

[jdale]

Ray, I still plan on sending my knives soon. a back injury at work on Friday kept me from getting them done this weekend. Once I'm cleared to stand for extended periods I will have them heading your way. Unless the injury is more severe than a pinched nerve they should be heading your way this week.