1095??

I

iowashtr23

Joined
Apr 19, 2009
Messages
57
got a question about 1095, I usually use O1 but decided to make a knife using 3/16 1095 but am confused about HT? I have read alot of different ways to HT this steel , the really only consistent thing is the crucial temp of 1450F. But what is the soak time? and what to quench blade in oil, water?? can anyone help?
 
Hello iowashtr23,
There are some great stickies at the top of this sub-forum that will point you in the right direction, sir.

In particular, this one... Working the three steel types.

Understand the steel and make educated descisions regarding how to work it. You owe it to yourself and your craft.:thumbup:



Rick
 
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I am not one to give advice as I am but an advanced newbie, but this topic is dear to my heart. I made my first knife from 1095, and then several more. I had to replace them because they were soft. Once I got a hardness tester, and proper quench oil, it came to time. Here is what works for me:

1475 degrees
Soak for 5-10 minutes (time at temperature). Don't overdo it.
Quench in Parks #50 first choice, McMaster-Carr 11 second for my 2nd choice (both work)
2- 2 hour tempers @400 degrees
Usually end up at 57-59 RC.

My hunting knife (my 100th) is made from 1095, and it cuts!

Milt

Read the stickies for lots of info. You may got lots of different opinions, but my advice is to just keep trying to find the magic formula that works for you. Or, use 1080 or 1084! They are much more forgiving.
 
iowashtr23 said:
got a question about 1095, I usually use O1 but decided to make a knife using 3/16 1095 but am confused about HT? I have read alot of different ways to HT this steel , the really only consistent thing is the crucial temp of 1450F. But what is the soak time? and what to quench blade in oil, water?? can anyone help?
Click to expand...

If you have the equipment to do it, soak at 1475F for around 8 minutes and then quench in a fast oil. If done correctly you should be able to produce HRC 66 in sections 3/16" or thinner. Temper in a range from 400F to 500F depending on you desired final hardness. Closer to 400F for 61-63HRC on the higher end for 58HRC and below. The tempering temperatures are not set in stone and are dependent on your initial hardening.
 
Will be HT in my Paragon oven which can reach and hold temp excellent. Have worked with different types of metals just never used 1095 before. Thanks for the info guys i'm gonna give it a try.
 
One critical point, when working with this steel, is to get the hot steel into the quenching oil as quickly as you can. Like, in a nanosecond.
 
Actually it shouldn't cool in the air any quicker that any other steel, so there should be no more rush than if it were 5160, O-1, 1084 etc...

...However once it hits the surface of the quenchant, the race is on! Here you have about .5 seconds to get it from 1200F to 900F if you want a fully hardened blade. This is why carefully chosen quenchants are so important. One can take as long as they want going from the heat to the quench so long as you stay above Ar1 (let's say 1,300F) as long as the quench can take it from there. But you can move faster than the human eye from kiln to quench tank, if the tank is filled with sluggish old black sludge, it doesn't really matter, your still screwed.
 
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