1095 hc ht

[armyMP]

when i get home from my deployment i am planning on making my first knife. i have been reading up on the hole process pretty strongly, but i know that only good skills will come from plenty of practice. their is one thing that i need some information on and that is the HT of the steel after a make the knife itself. i do not have the money to buy one of those fancy ovens so i was wanting to do it with some coal or a tourch if possible. i am having my dad get me some 1095 HC steel to practice on before i try with the knife that i am planning on making. if their are any tips out their that anyone could help me with i would greatly appricate it..

 

[LRB]

The best tip I would give you is to put the 1095 aside, and get some 1075/80/84. 1095 is not a beginners steel. It is not easy to HT well with simple oils. To get it well hardened requires that the temp be dropped from 1475°/1500°, to below 900° in one second, or better yet, slightly less. Common oils will not cool it that rapidly. The other 10xx steels above are much more user friendly, and will make fine blades with minimal equipment, and simple oils. Commercial oils are always best, but these steels will respond very well to canola oil, or mineral oil. Even ATF will do.

 

[armyMP]

that you for the advice. when i get home i will take that into consideration and try my luck with the other steel. im thinking on sending my first knife away to get it heat treated either way until i practice on other steels to get the heat treating process down pat.