Another Rat heat-treat question

bluejaunte

bluejaunte

Joined
Sep 1, 2006
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OK, somwhere I read that smaller Rats are *not* differentially heat treated (tempered??). By this statement I can draw the conclusion that my M6 probably *is* DHT'd while my HRLM probably *isn't*.

So how is the HRLM heat treated? Is the steel drawn back a little in hardness (compared to the M6's edge) to keep it from being too brittle? I remember reading Cliff Stamp's adventures in car door removal with a HR. Impressive stuff, and clearly not done with a brittle knife.

Or maybe I'm just talking out my hole, seems to happen a lot lately. :foot:
 
bluejaunte said:
So, in other words, the HRLM is tough, but the M6 is even tougher? ;)
Click to expand...

They are both tough, the m6 though would have more "flex" in the blade. Which is good on longer blades for things like prying and such. They both have the same edge Strength though.
 
Of course the M6 is tougher- it is 1/4" thick vs 3/16". ;)

AFAIK, Differential tempering is unnecessary on short blades due to the fact they are too short to apply a lot of leverage to (compared to a 6-9" blade)

I have pried heavily with my Through-hardened battle rat, and had no problems, so technically I don't think any of the blades need the differential treatment, it just adds an extra helping of toughness.
 
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