2 part question about springs

[SlipjointPolitiburo]

I’ve been contemplating a pet project for a bit and whether or not I take it on depends on a two part question:

1. The recent GEC 14’s have lackluster walk and talk due to “weak springs.” Assuming the springs from 2018 and 2024 are the same exact dimensions…is the likely difference the heat treat? AND in that scenario could I remove the spring re-heat treat and achieve a stiffer spring?

2. If the answer to #1 is yes. What are instructions for a dummy that doesn’t want to go down the rabbit hole on tempering etc. I’ve done some reading and I don’t think I have a good handle on the steps start to finish.

(these are 1095, and the knife is small ~3” closed)

Cheers and happy 4th!

Alex

 

[DevinT]

The heat treatment won’t change the stiffness of the spring, it’s the dimensions that affect how strong it is.

Sometimes if you have wear on the blade tang that can affect things. Also, the amount of preload on the spring will affect how it walks and talks.

Hoss

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The short answer is No.

There are many things that may be involved - Alloy, HT, dimensions, surface finish, pin tension, etc.

If you re-did the HT you would have to refinish the spring and it would be slightly smaller anyway.

As for spring HT, there is no good, simplified version. There is a reason you never saw the book title, "Spring HT for Dummies".

 

[Hengelo_77]

If you'd realy would like to improve the knife you'd have to remake the spring and then likely remake the scales as well.
And it that is what you would want to do you could better use the disabled knife as templates and make a whole new knife.

I order steel for the spring flat ground and slightly thicker then my blade steel which I also order flat ground. I do not relieve the liners but use thin bronce washers, which I also order. I outsource HT and pay a little bit extra to have the springs tempered back to HRC48.
There is good info here on the forum and on youtube.
Just go for it, having a good template is a good first step!