July 20, 200916 yr Hey Steve I am a Beginer knife maker, I have read the other posts, and I still have an unanswered question. Do you sharpen a blade before quenching? and if you do not could you please explain.
July 20, 200916 yr most shape the blade and grind it to about 220 grit prior to heat treat...the final grind, polish sharpen is done after heat treat. care must be taken not to heat the blade and ruin the heat treat.
July 20, 200916 yr Author Do you sharpen hair cutting sharp before quench? or butterknife sharp before quench? Wich gives the strongest edge? I have made some railroad spike knives and i polished and sharpened before quench. I have yet to try a dull edge before quenching, hopeing someone can save me some time.
July 20, 200916 yr fairly thick before quench. .030 to .100 inch helps reduce warping and cracking and burning everyone has different thoughts on how thick........
July 20, 200916 yr Thickness of an American dime is the edge thickness before heat treat. Sharpening is the LAST thing done to a blade before mailing it out, after: heat treat, finishing, hilting, making a scabbard for it!
July 20, 200916 yr From the few knives i have done and what others have told me.......... you may want to put a piece of tape over the blade....so you wouldnt want it real sharp for your safety....when you treat you should leave a little metal on the blade so you have a little less chance of twisting or worpin in the oven
July 21, 200916 yr Author thanks for the info, I havent had to heat treat yet, being that they are railroad spike knives, but i will be doing some heat treating with my old farrier rasps.
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