Beginner is Beginning heat treating on "Mystery Steel", prepared for right offs...

If you get blue when grinding, that is a problem, but in an oven temper, probably not.

Colors on the blade after tempering in an oven are pretty much of no importance. There is normally a rainbow on the blade. The oils and such on it will make these colors. there is normally a straw brown color and then some purple/blue, magenta, and even green.
 
Hey all,

I know it's been a while since I've updated you all with the progress, but it's done. The blade are complete. I was hoping for some constructional critique so for your viewing I'm uploading some images to postimg.

http://postimg.org/image/u9zg6s3xv/
http://postimg.org/image/40ednzi0j/
http://postimg.org/image/e96utt62b/
http://postimg.org/image/miiq87zsj/

As we all know, our first knives are usual rubbish - and these are no exception, lol. I now know to make sure that ALL profiling is done before heat treating, that a 'mirror finish' is a lot of hard work, I REALLY need to make my handles smaller and the to etch with vinegar a better choice of vinegar and power source are needed that what I was using...

Also, on the 2 larger knives a funny thing happened. I was trying to test the temper of the blades with the 'brass rod' test. As you may be able to see they both chipped in the middle, but no where else. To be fair I couldn't get the edges to deflect at all so perhaps my angle is still too steep.

But for my first attempts I'm chuffed. As I said, comments welcome. Thanks again for all your help everyone :)


Mike

P.S. The 2 larger knives are only meant as go bag knives, so the sheaths are more practical than asthetic... 'cos let's face it, that on'es ugly, lol.
 
Tset, there's not much point in commenting on the aesthetics. You already know they need attention, so I'll just say it will be interesting to watch your work progress over time.

The major value of the first knife builds is to give you a base upon which to build. In this first project you've learned that using thick stock adds a lot of work to the process of making a knife. You've learned the fundamentals of shaping and beveling. You've learned that your first attempt at etching needs refinement. That's a lot to learn in a seemingly simple project.

Keep at it. Look around at what other people are doing and think about what you might want to learn in your next projects that will get you closer to being able to make the things you admire from others. Consider investing in better materials and see if that improves things for you. Think about visiting someone in your area that has a nice shop and look at the tools and methods they use to give you an idea of how to begin stocking your own shop.

- Greg
 
Thanks for those words Greg - appreciate the encouragement and advice.

Also thanks to all who have helped me with these first builds. Onwards and upwards - will post more projects as they happen.
 
I would offer this advice. Don't do 3 knives next time. And don't jump from step to step.
1. design on paper. With pencil and eraser. Until you have a knife you like. Keep it simple. Avoid angles.
2 cut out the knife profile in your steel. Get it right before moving on.
3. Make your main grind full, mark where you want both sides to stop so you don't end up with the edge all the way to the handle again.

Make sure each of these things are done to the best of your ability before moving to the next step.

Also toaster ovens are notorious for temp surges and swings. Wipe the oil off and use the kitChen oven. And get a second oven thermometer to verify Temps.
Keep trying. Don't give up. But don't be satisfied with crude knife shaped objects just because they are first attempts. Keep posting pics of your progress.
 
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