01 blade, can it be spring tempered?

[Narmer]

Hey everyone

I'm trying to differentially heat treat my 01 steel blade, I will be using a Evenheat kiln but here is where I get fuzzy on a few things and I can't seen to find info. anywhere to help.....maybe someone out here can!

My blade is flat ground and 9" long

I have even refered to the American Machinery Handbook(very helpful but doesn't help/answer the following)

1) will 01 stand up to a full heat treat in my oven without being wrapped with tool wrap?

2) after my .250" blade is taken out of the kiln can I just edge quench without worring about stress cracking(I will be using olive oil heated to 150'F)

3) if all goes well with the above and I temper the blade, can anyone tell me why more than one temper cycle should/shouldn't be used on my 01 heat treated this way or shout a torch be used and how many cylces for the "springy" spine.....

My ultimate goal is to make and very tuff/durable blade with a hard edge and softer spine and to also have the option of bringing out the "hamone" with some Ferric chloride should I chose too....

Any thoughts/advise is very much appreciated....

Thanks in advance

 

[Rusty McDonald]

I temper O1 at 375-425 range. 1 hour 2 times.

 

[LRB]

Just my opinion. I work exclusively with 01. I would suggest a full quench after a twenty, or since the steel is 1/4", even thirty minute soak at 1475°. I protect from decarb with PBC powder. Works great for me. The full quench should give you a better structure in the steel, and you will not have a real flare up when you quench. If any. Then temper. I do two, two hour temper cycles, allowing the blade to cool to room temp in between. Often I wait until the next day for the second cycle. If you want a tough temper, then I would go from 450°, to 475°. Even 500° might be considered. Then you can protect the edge in a shallow pan of water and soft back the spine with a torch. This should give you the springy temper you want.

 

[Narmer]

Thanks LRB, i'll try it your way and let you know, thanks!