Zantow Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Hello. I am in the process of making some knives from 1095 and need someone who can heat treat them for me. I am using 1095. I tried a sample piece in a makeshift coal forge and it didn't turn out well. Some of the metal seemed to melt and after quenching in oil there were deep pitted areas all over. Also I went through the tempering process twice at 400 deg. for 1 hour each and after the second time I had some cracks in the knife edge. I am a beginner so I don't have many tools. Just a side cutter and 6" grinding wheel. I live in Chattanooga, TN so if anyone knows of someone close by that can give me a hand with this I would great appreciate it. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 try again, I will heat treat them for you, but no reason for me to, You can do it, 1095 is one off the easiest. Heat slowly. Your forge fire does not need a lot of air. preheat the quench oil by heating a chunk of scrap before heating the blade, and dunk that a few times, wont take to long to pre heat the oils to about 120F. that is how I do it. use tongs. After dunking the blade, count to 30 then hang to drip dry and cool, . then into oven at 325F for 2 hours and polish. First I will move this post to the knife section, read the info on heat treating there, it explains what is happening as we harden the steels. Classes are posted there also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Forging skills as well as fire management and use are basics that you will need to get down pat...Then you can make blades that will benefit from heat treat...Spend the time forging leaf or coil spring steels and maybe get some help from others including local smithing groups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Furrer Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Zanto listen to Steve. I recall some knifemakers near Chattanooga, but none spring to mind. Larry Harley is in Bristol, TN. Ric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Budd Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Try burying a bit of pipe in the fire and using it as a baffle when you are hardening. That way you will be able to see how hot the blade is and won't run such a risk of over heating it ;) Also, read the knifemaking section on here for more useful tips on the heat treating process. You don't need a lot of kit to make a good blade :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Welcome aboard Zantow, glad to have you. Put your general location in the header, you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeshow Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I'm 40 minutes away. Feel free to pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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