Advice re foil

R

RPN NZ

Joined
May 23, 2024
Messages
11
Hi Folks

I've got a handfull of unground RWL-34 blanks to heat treat, and not much foil. It'll be a couple of weeks for it to get here (NZ), so I'm contemplating wrapping the same profile blanks in batches of 2 to get the max use from the available foil on hand.

Has anyone done this with satisfactory results? Max pack thickness would be 5mm - 3/16", with two 2.5mm blanks inside, so I figure 15 minutes at temp for the win.

Thanks and regards
 
if it were me I'd wait
 
What a quandary - two of the most respected forum makers at loggerheads....... I think I've found some shim material at the back of the machine shop so I'll have to see how much thin stuff there is and wrap the small knives in it.

Thank you both for the answers.
 
ha! Who are you calling respected ? 😀
when I have a question or I'm in doubt, I call my friend Tim Wright

the primary concern (for me) is the potential for an "uneven" cooling rate leading to a slightly bent blade

but we are always dealing with straightening blades, so there are ways to deal with that in the temper and with a carbide hammer

The concern for a bent blade also depends on what the profile of the blade looks like

I just heat treated six 240 mm cru wear kitchen knives stacked 2 high in 3 separate packets. and then 12 cru wear steak knives in 2 packets, 2 high and 3 across
 
I hope I haven't spoiled your self image......

I mostly make hunting knives of my own design for my friends for free, and chefs knives for sale - and you have had a huuuuge impact on my ideas of what clean and efficient design looks like. The hunting stuff comes from my own experience, but your kitchen knives are just lovely.
 
OZ95wS9.jpeg
mistake on what i said on the steak knives, I had 16 blanks so I did two packets of eight
 
I have done multiple batches with a side by side configuration like above. I have not tried them stacked due to paranoia about them sticking together…maybe unfounded. Side by side is a non-issue. Hope that helps!
 
RPN NZ said:
What a quandary - two of the most respected forum makers at loggerheads....... I think I've found some shim material at the back of the machine shop so I'll have to see how much thin stuff there is and wrap the small knives in it.

Thank you both for the answers.
Click to expand...
when in doubt, trust Harbeer!
 
The furnace is heating up, so I'll know how it worked in a couple of hours.

Thanks to all who answered.
 
Sorry guys, I've got an engineering firm that gets in the way of pleasant sidelines....

It all went well.

The shim wasn't useable, so they went in two to an envelope.
 
Heh, I wish I knew this before! I guess stacking blades in the packet would be OK if they are fairly thin. I mean, we can plate quench 1/4" thick or 5/16" thick blades, so stacking a couple blades wouldn't be too bad? Side by side would probably be OK, too as long as they don't overlap in the pouch so there isn't good contact.
 
I never thought of it, and even if I DID think of it, I would have guessed that it wouldn't be a good idea.

RPN NZ, thank you for thinking to ask the question. I usually only use 1/16"-3/32" stock, so I'll give it a shot next time.
 
Taz said:
Heh, I wish I knew this before! I guess stacking blades in the packet would be OK if they are fairly thin. I mean, we can plate quench 1/4" thick or 5/16" thick blades, so stacking a couple blades wouldn't be too bad? Side by side would probably be OK, too as long as they don't overlap in the pouch so there isn't good contact.
Click to expand...
same for the liquid nitrogen, i clamp several blades together

OhGz4cq.jpeg
 
Yeah, I bundle them in Cryo, but don't do it as often with the plate quench. I may start going side by side and 2 high on some of my stuff and see how it does. I have some thin blades coming up soon!
 
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