• Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I hope that you all have something to be grateful for this year and for many years to come

  • The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/

  • America has reached 250 years, and I am grateful to be here, in the best country in the world. Thank every one of you who helps make this country a better place, those who have gone before and risked it all, and those who've paid the ultimate price to make the United States what we are today.

    Happy Birthday America! Let Freedom Ring for all time!

1050 quenching question...

Cousin Jack

Cousin Jack

Joined
Oct 25, 2002
Messages
709
I just bought some 1/4 inch 1050 (C .52) and am looking to make a bowie with a 9" blade. My questions are: can I oil quench 1050, or is it better to water quench this steel?.......and, what temp should I draw at?
 
We have lots of 1050 here in my shop so,years ago, I made a blade and quenched in water and it broke in a number of pieces. Since I have made at least 20 more knives from the same material and used commerical quenching oil and not even a crack.:D
 
Yes, I have had a few 1050 crack in a water quench.
The only point I can see in the water quench of that steel is to be shooting for a hamon line in the sides of the blade.

But I think if I were to try another water quench I would do a interupted quench.
 
That is not a very common steel used by knifemakers so I doubt anyone has used olive oil to quench it. Most likely olive oil will be fine, give it a try on a scrap piece first if you're hesitant. Pre-heat the oil to at or around 130 degrees.
 
Olive oil should work. I use canola oil because it has a high flash point and costs less. I think olive oil will probably turn rancid in fairly short order.

Gene
 
Also, if i am not mistaken, on a long blade oil will make it curve downward into the quench (kinda like a kukri), and water makes them cur upward (like a Katana). Just thought i would pass that along in case you don't get exactly what you are wanting when you quench. ;)
 
Cousin Jack said:
I just bought some 1/4 inch 1050 (C .52) and am looking to make a bowie with a 9" blade. My questions are: can I oil quench 1050, or is it better to water quench this steel?.......and, what temp should I draw at?
Click to expand...

I would use oil quenching for this steel. I use the 1095,1084, and 1075.

Barkes:)
When I leave this world I would like to be known by the one who make the knives from start to finish.

http://my.hsonline.net/wizard/knifeshop
1.812.526.6390
 
Quench it in the fastest oil you can find, preferrably a professional quenching oil.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top