416 stainless heat treat?

[Will52100]

I've got an order for a custom kitchen knife with stainless hard ware, I take it that i need to harden the 416 gaurd material, and have done that with a torch and water quench, but when I went to form it(pounding a little with a hammer) around the knife it split. What would you recomend tempering it to to keep it from being brittle, but still remain stainless?

Thanks

 

[mete]

There is a limit to the amount of forging or cold working as 416 is a free machining grade. you may anneal it from 1500-1650 and slow cool for max softness. To harden -1700-1800F, oil quench ,temper 900 F -42 HRc, 1000 -26, 1100 - 24, 1200 - 21, 1300 -100 HRb, 1400 96 HRb.

 

[rlinger]

Mete's the man!

 

[Will52100]

Thanks Mete, what I needed to know.

 

[mete]

I'm surprised that this question hasn't been asked before since 416 is so common for use for bolsters and guards.

 

[blgoode]

Man Mete - I'd hate to be inside your brain!!!
WOW!