440C heat treat

[RARanney]

Has anyone tried a forge heat treat (magnet) of 440C? I've always understood it to be best to use a heat treat oven, or send out stainless steels, but am curious if the "classic" method works.

 

[Shotgunone]

I'm far from an expert but I would guess that you could. But you will probably have to take it above the non magnetic temperature to about 1900 / 1950 degrees or a translucent yellow orange. Some of the first knives I made were 440C and I heat treated them with an torch both air quenched and oil quenched (old motor oil). I will make them hard that is for sure. Actually the first folder I ever made in about 1995 was hardened with a torch and the springs and blades were tempered with a torch too. And yep it's still around and I carry it too. But it looks like $$$$$hhhhit.

I wouldn't do it today since I got my oven.

Regards

 

[RHINOKNIVES]

yes i heat treated a few 440c with a torch to cherry/orange and then differrential put them i na painters roller pan with ATF fluid it works, not as well as paul bos H-T but it would hold a edge.