A couple questions about 1095

Great points Rick. :)

"Don't try it", isn't always the correct answer... just one of the most popular.

I'm personally getting a bit tired of hearing it...

Making mistakes is a great way to learn, and newbies should reserve that right. Don’t let “fear of failure” hold you back, like so many others have.

1095 is a fairly difficult steel, which is exactly why it's a great one to learn from.
 
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Never told him not to do it, just suggested he get in a bit more research time first. Do you really think it wise for him to try three together as a first time attempt? Would he not learn just as much or more by doing just one first, then assessing his results so that he may improve on the next? Making mistakes is not necessarily a "great" way to learn, simply another way, and usually tougher. Especially when the required info to increase the chances of success is available through a little research. By the way Tai, I really don't give a rats @$$ what you're tired of. If it bothers you that much, that others also have opinions, there are other places you can go.
 
LBR

I appreciate your words of caution and the encouragement to research more, but I think what Tai was saying is that it is hard to hear "its really hard, research more" but then the poster does nothing to answer the questions you asked. I am here because I am trying to learn how to use this steel. You told me I had little understanding of what I was doing but you did not try and help me understand what I was not understanding. Let me know what I got wrong so I can research that part of the process. In my research I have found a lot of different ideas and techniques. I am finding that like most things there are a lot of different ideas on how to do it. I am just trying to figure out what will work for me.

I do plan on doing one at a time now. I was hoping to have these done because they will be birthday gifts, But I would rather they get there gifts a little late and it be done right and better quality.
 
ckwatosn said:
I do plan on doing one at a time now. I was hoping to have these done because they will be birthday gifts, But I would rather they get there gifts a little late and it be done right and better quality.
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That's a good way to approach it.

When folks first start out, it is good to do a lot of reading but it won't mean a lick if you aren't doing. There is not much difference between starting on a bowie or a paring knife. The fact that you have three to do is a plus.... I would make four... just in case.;) My approach to learning always seems to go like this...

1. Read up on what you want do do.
2. Find someone who is doing it successfuly and copy their method
3. Try to figure out why the hell it didn't work when you followed instructions to the T.
4. Do it several more times until you find your own "groove" with it.

Only when you become comfortable with something can you truly begin understanding and refining it. Nobody is comfortable the first few times. That's why it is important to just relax and have fun. Once you get more blades under your belt you can begin to get critical with yourself.

That is not to say you wont "accidentally" make a good knife, first try.... Ha!:p
 
LRB, what are you saving rats @$$es for?

ckwatosn, You mentioned doing the first temper at 400, then a second at 350. I'd say do the second at 400 as well and test them out a bit. 400 is kind of low for 1095. I usually go 425-450.
 
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Thank you for the heads up on the temperatures. I have been checking my oven with a Digital probe thermometer every time I turn it on and it seems like it runs about 20 degrees hot and has a swing of 10-15 degrees when it cycles on and off. I have a few stoneware backing pans I plan on putting in the over to try and help with the heat swings. Would it be ok to put the knives right on the stoneware or should I place them on the rack so they have air flow all around them. I am afraid if I place them on the stone the side facing the stone might get hotter that the side exposed to the air?

I have been reading non stop for the last few day and am spending this morning drawing up some patterns. My steel should be here today. I hope it gets here early enough that I can get it roughed out today.
 
I usually try and keep the blades standing edge up when heating and cooling.

If you are going to use a toaster oven for tempering be sure and shield, baffle or muffle them from the heating elements top and bottom.
 
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