15n20

S

scs.knives

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Mar 5, 2010
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I'm making a small knife with a 1.5" blade out of 15n20, is it possible to heat treat with a mapp/propane torch? Also what type epoxy do you use for cord wrapped handles?
 
I can't help with the HT, but I don't use any epoxy on my cord wraps. That would defeat most of the benefits since it would no longer be easily user replaced or available as cord for an emergency. If I was going to epoxy it I'd just use thin scales of some sort.
 
Remyrw said:
I can't help with the HT, but I don't use any epoxy on my cord wraps. That would defeat most of the benefits since it would no longer be easily user replaced or available as cord for an emergency. If I was going to epoxy it I'd just use thin scales of some sort.
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how do you tie off your cord wrap?
 
15N20 is basicly 1080 with some nickle,so you can H/T it the same.Heat to about 1475 and quench in oil.temper twice at 400* for 2 hours each.
That small of a knife can be done with a propane or Mapp torch with a simple one brick forge.
Stan
 
scs.knives said:
I'm making a small knife with a 1.5" blade out of 15n20, is it possible to heat treat with a mapp/propane torch? Also what type epoxy do you use for cord wrapped handles?
Click to expand...

As for the HT with a torch, you can do a really uneven crappy heat treat with a torch, but you will get the most out of the steel by giving it a soak at temperature for between 10 and 20 minutes then oil quenching it

-Page
 
15N20 and L6 both need a soak time of about 10 minutes to get the alloy content into solution. It can be done with a torch, but the results will be less than optimum. It will get hard and skate a file....but the micro-structures will be off. Plain 1080/1084 would be a much better choice for a small blade and a torch HT.

When I coat a paracord handle ( which is seldom) I use a very thin epoxy. The last one was done with System Three Clear Coat.
 
Since someone mentioned it, how does 15N20 work compared to other steels? I see people using it in damascus for contrast, but how do blades of just this steel hold up?
 
If you have a rectangle of ceramic wool, fold it over, place your blade in there and then use a torch. Got that idea from Cariboo Blades who heat treats his small hook knives that way. He has a great tutorial... just google.
 
scs.knives said:
how slow?:o
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Avoid-5-minute-epoxies slow, bud:thumbup:.... maybe 15 minute ones, too. The epoxy needs to wick into the material. If it gels up to quickly, it will sit on top and look like... well... you have a bunch of epoxy gooped on your piece.:thumbdn:


Rick
 
For 15N20 , mineral oil should work. Heat it to about 120-130F. You want about a gallon for a small knife.
 
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