1095?

[Random Mutant]

Does anyone know if hot rolled and annealed 1095 has scale on it?
I am thinking of ordering some from Koval Knives (http://www.kovalknives.com Look under "damascus blade steel"),
and I want to know if I will have to sacrifice some of the thickness of the 3/16" stock to scale removal.
I have so far been using files and lawnmower blades, but I want to try 1095 so I can heat treat it, because some of the lawnmower blades didn't heat treat as well as I had hoped.
Also, is any soak time required once 1095 gets up to nonmagnetic? Is it just heat and quench?

Thanks,
Asa

 

[Bruce Evans]

The scale is not thick at all on these bars,You wont loose enough material to notice..As for the hot rolled versus anealed...The hot rolled is not annealed and you will have to anneal it yourself,and the annealed is just that it has been annealed already and is ready to grind...
As forr the soak tiome,I do mine in the forge and so I don't soak it,I just heat it and quench it,If you have a oven with controllers then I would probably soak it for a few minutes before quench,Some of the manufacturers suggest a soak time..
Hope this helps.
Bruce