July 31, 20214 yr I got these machine blades (I think they're for a large plainer) and made a cleaver. I tried hardening in oil but a file bites into it with no problem. Does anyone have any experience with blades like this? Should I try quenching in water?
July 31, 20214 yr You have plenty of stock there make some test coupons and test it. Frosty Pro tip. Test mystery steel BEFORE making a blade from it. That way you'll know what it needs or if it's even suitable for a blade before putting in the effort of forging one to maybe end up hanging it on the DRATS!! wall. I like your cleaver's profile. I look forward to seeing the finished pics. Frosty The Lucky.
July 31, 20214 yr Author I've never played with water hardening steel. If it hardens do I temper it the same way? I will try it on a test piece as suggested
July 31, 20214 yr Looks like the company is still in business, drop them a line and ask what they use.
August 1, 20214 yr Determining how to temper mystery steel is part of the test process. There are so many different kinds of steels being made there isn't a A way to temper a general type like oil or water quench. Bigguns suggestion of contacting the company is a good one, once you know what it is and who made it the information is almost always available on the manufacturer's website. Frosty The Lucky.
August 1, 20214 yr Author Waiting on an answer from the company but I did make a ticket and tried water hardening it. A file bit into it better than mild steel and I bent it 90 degrees and back to straight with no cracking..... I'm thinking this was bad steel for a cleaver! My next idea was to forge weld some spring steel for the cutting edge. It was going good until I melted it. So now be in the watch for a new cleaver.
August 1, 20214 yr You could draw the handle way out and make up stories about it being an Outer Smerdegian whip chopper. I vote for different steel. I'll be watching for your next presentation. Frosty The Lucky.
August 2, 20214 yr What alloy they used will probably have changed over the years as well; unless you can lock in on a date it might be a range. Machine knives that bent after water quenching---only thing I can think of would be a boron alloy.
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