440c

[farmermark]

I'm a beginner knifemaker. Recently I bought some 440c steel,roughed out the knife, gave it a home heat treatment, and continued finishing it. Eventually I discovered that the knife would bend easily--and not flex back. Is this the nature of 440c? Did I perhaps ruin it with the less than technical heat treatment(heating it to cherry red, then quenching it, then feathering the back of the blade until blue)? I tried bending the stock that I bought and it behaved pretty well like the knife. Seems like the only good thing I found with this experience is that this steel mirrors up beautifully. If this is in fact the nature of this steel, can you suggest a steel that is strong and flexible and stainless? Thanks.

 

[Sando]

Welcome Farmermark!

Sorry to say, you didn't harden it. 440C requires more than just cherry red and quench.

Is the knife all completed? If not you can send it out for heat treatment. You probably didn't ruin the steel or anything.

Steve

 

[Gossman Knives]

I'm sure the experts will chime in and help you but the fact of the matter is 440C is an air hardened steel. It has to be air hardened in a heat treat furnance under controlled conditions.
Scott

 

[mete]

Technical heat treatment is not "heating to cherry red" !!! Stainless steels require higher hardening temps [ ~ 1800F].They are not for beginners.Start with something like 5160 for DIY heat treat.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If you want to save the knife,take off the handle (smash,cut,grind).Straighten and clean up the blade ,then send it to one of the HT guys (Texas knife supply,Paul Bos,etc.).You can put a new handle on it after it comes back.Charges should be about $10 plus shipping.