Blade warpage question

Barker

Barker

Joined
Dec 24, 2005
Messages
1,159
I use 154 CM and ATS 34 mainly to make my knives by stock removal. I do get some that warp during heat treating. If I heat them up with a map gas torch and straighten them, do I just need to draw the temper again or what should I do? I wouldn't have to heat them up enough to get them glowing. Any advice or help on how anyone around here does it.
Thanks!
-John
 
John, are you using quench plates? The reason I ask is that I rarely get any warping when using the heavy plates, which tend to keep the knife straight due to the compression. I mostly use D2 for air hardening steel. I get my steel out of the foil when it is still fairly hot. In those rare cases where I have had warpage I was able to straighten the blade before full martensite conversion. I do the same thing with oil quenched steels. I would think that heating with a torch would ruin your temper. IIRC, the high end temper for ATS-34 is about 900 F. You would need to go higher than that to make the steel pliable.
 
I forge and I don't use stainless but I have dealt with the same problem.

If it's warped the length of the blade, I have no suggestions. But if you are dealing with warp or distortion along the cutting edge, I have a suggestion:
I clamp the blade in a vise using wooden jaws. Expose the section of the edge that has distorted. Place a hardwood block against the edge of the blade and strike the block with a 3lb hammer in the direction you want the edge to move. This is much like an auto body man pounding out a fender. I have never had a blade break, while doing this.

Good luck, Fred
 
Are aluminum quenching plates 1 1/2" thick too thick? What is the ideal thickness of the quenching plates?

Fred,
Thanks, I will give that a try as well.
-John
 
John most folks use 1" aluminum or you can use steel plates as well just the alum disapates better. 1 1/2" will do great, wish I could get my hands on some?

spencer
 
Do not attempt to straighten stainless below 400 F. Do not use a torch. Heat to tempering temperature and straighten.Much easier if you are using a high ,~ 900 F temper.Next time use quenching plates [1" alminum is fine ]
 
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