AEB-L warping

[zealot]

Hi all, noob problems: I just got a batch of knives back from HT and most of them are badly warped. The AEB-L came with slight bend here and there, which I corrected as best I could. They left me reasonably straight. but they are just way out of wack now! I tried straightening a few and ended up snapping them. I have done batches of S30v with no problems whatsover, this is my first batch of AEB-L and I'm bummed because I really had hi hopes for this stuff. is it something I did? or the heat treaters fault? thanks

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Did you grind the blades before HT?

If so, how thick did you leave the edge?

Who did the heat treat?

If they are as warped as you say they are, I'm kind of shocked that they didn't at least call you before shipping them out.

 

[zealot]

thanks for the reply man, yes they were ground before HT. the edges were pretty thin. the warpage is right down the spine not really on the edge. They were heat treated by one of the most reputable places around.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Steel type is normally not the issue in warp....steel condition and geometry is what causes 90% of all warping. AEB-L is a good steel, and I am not aware of any warping issues.

Any attempt to straighten a warped blade must be done at 400F or higher to both make it permanent as well as avoid breaking the blade ( still not a guarantee).

Most of the big time HTers straighten the blades if needed. I have sent hundreds of blades out to Peters, and Brad has never sent back a warped blade beyond the most minute curvature ( which was easily straightened).

I would call your HTer and discuss the issue with the actual person who did the HT.

 

[zealot]

thanks Johnathan and Stacy, talked to the owner this am. They are headed back for straightening.