5160 heat treat

Bailey Knives

Bailey Knives

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
3,802
I am making a large bowie for a camping trip that I plan on taking this summer. I triple quenched the bowie and checked the edge with a file to ensure hardness. The file bit in for a couple passes than began to skate. with a triple quench, does the top layer of steel lose carbon in the forge (I have a propane forge)? I dont want to take the time to make the knife if it wont hold an edge. The quenchant was heated to about 100-120 before quench and the steel was non-magnetic.
 
That happens sometimes. I suspect it's due to the soak time you are using. If it's skating the entire length now, You should be fine. If you have soft spots, anneal it and re heat treat.
 
That is why I always leave my edges a little thicker than normal when I grind before heat treat.Now most everything I make is heat treated before I do any grinding,this eliminates the chance of burning to much off the edge when quenched.This is also why back years ago people would say that a carbon blade would need at least 4 good sharpenings before it reached it's full cutting potential.By leaving it thicker before finish grinding it is at it's full cutting potential the first sharpening.
Bruce
 
With carbon steel ,after the quench (and especially after a triple quench) the metal has what is called a rind.It is a layer of de-carburized steel. You haver to remove it to get to the truly hardened steel.That is why you don't grind to a thin edge before quench.Many new makers make a knife that won't seem to sharpen,or stay sharp.After four or five sharpenings ,suddenly it gets good and sharp.They have gone past the bad steel and are into the good stuff.
Just sand away a bit of the surface,and you will be fine.Be sure to dip it frequently so as to avoid overheating and ruining the temper (which I hope you have done immediately after quench). -SA
 
that Layer I've always called dead steel.
as said above,, you need the Carbon for the edge at least..
and I have said to the ones that want a mirror finish right out of the heat treat,,,, NO,,
, re-grind it, the mirror finish will be better also. IMO :D
 
Hey guys, thanks for the input...I had plenty of steel left on the edge to grind off the decarburized portion. It was kinda neat when it went from no decent sparks, to a shower of them. The knife is coming along well, and I will post a pic when it is done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top