Blade hardness test

J

johned

Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
58
I have draw file.....single cut...very fine and thin....shaped like a 6 inch mill bastard. It has been laying around my box for many years but hasn't seen all that much use. It isn't fresh out of the box new. What is the highest RC that I could expect this file to NOT skip on but cut easily?

I find it works well on D2 and 1095 but I don't know if the blades are hardened and I wonder if this might not be a test of sorts.

Thanks,

John
 
Usually any standard file (i.e.: not diamond) should skate on ANY decently hardened steel if applied lightly before temper.
After temper, the ability of the file to bite the steel depends upon the amount of tempering.
I tested standard nicholson files on mani kinds of steel, and they bite on sword steel (which is in the 55 HRc range) but skate on most knife steels.
 
i think files are around 65-66 on the RC scale. generally something around 60-61 or maybe even a little less in hardness (as far as a knife) will have the file skate when you try to file it.
 
Thank you. These blade blanks are definitely not hardened. One is 1095 and the other is D2. The D2 I think goes to 70 and the 1095 should be around 62 but I am a rookie. Your comments tells me they are both soft and need heat treated after forming and sharpening. They both filed easily and with little pressure. Salem is finishing the D2 and he will heat treat it.

Thanks again,

John
 
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