1095 heat treat

[Tobin Anderson]

Hi I know that this sounds slightly unusual but I was bored the other day because of quarantine and despised to make a sword, I make knives and that so I don’t have much sword worthy steel the only thing I had with a good enough length was 1095 steel the overall length of the sword is 90cm and is quite thick.
Because I haven’t ever made a sword I have no clue the correct heat treatment for such large blades and there are barely any 1095 tutorials online and those are small knives does anyone know how I should do it to get the best conditions?
Thanks,
Tobin

 

[seanj]

The heat treatment will be the same as for a knife of the same material and thickness. You just need an oven, or a forge, long enough to heat treat it. Hopefully others will be along to expand on that, but that's basically it.

 

[DevinT]

You should look for someone to help you with a marquench/martemper for toughness.

Hoss

 

[Willie71]

I agree with Hoss.

The other option is to find someone with a kiln or controlled forge and differentially harden the blade. A sword with a hamon looks pretty great too.

Use a lower than normal austenitizing temp, such as 1425f to 1450f. This will give you lower carbon in solution and prevent an excess of plate martensite. 1095 is not a tough steel, regardless of how you heat treat it. Going softer does not improve toughness much.