Amateur Questions

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BlakeSMB

Joined
Feb 9, 2012
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Alright so I am a amateur knife making "hobbyist". That is to say I am starting to make knives simply for fun and currently not intending to sell. I am working with limited space and tools so I am doing all work by hand and file...no grinder (I do use a buffer for minimal finishing). I really enjoy this primitive approach and the results are rewarding. But I have not space, supplies, or desire at the moment to back yard heat treat. Where can I get good heat treating done on 440c and s30v? And also to the veterans, how far to you finish your blades before heat treat? I have many 90% complete blades just waiting for heat treat and sharpening, do I need to go that fair before treating or can the steel still be reasonably finished afterward?
I apologize in advance if my second question is elementary, I really am just getting started.
 
Peters' Heat Treat. You can finish the blades as finely as you want, they will only need minimal clean-up when you get them back. High alloy steels are fairly difficult to hand-sand after HT; it can certainly be done it just takes a lot longer. Do not sharpen the edges; rather, leave them 1/32" or more thick to avoid warpage. Be sure your blades are free of any burrs, and lightly chamfer any holes.
 
I will add Paul Bos and texasknifemaker supply, Paul is the best, texas does a great job but alot cheaper for a single blade. I sand mine to 220 grit and then resand with 220 when I get them back, the edge is at 0.010, the blades come back really clean and just need to remove the oxidized layer no scale or other stuff to remove. You can sand after heat treat but you cannot file. so take them to a finish where all you will be doing is sanding after ht.

good luck
 
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