case hardening

LONE WOLF · Oct 16, 2004

I read about something called case hardening in witch to my understanding is when only the outermost layer of steel is properly hardened

mete · Oct 16, 2004

Case hardening is a process where carbon and/or nitrogen is added to layer at the surface of the steel.This layer ,when the steel is hardened, is very hard and wear resistant due to the added carbon. It doesn't have much application for knives.

LONE WOLF · Oct 16, 2004

I read in my museum replicas catologue that some newer swords do it, but that it bends easy. Btw, what is the best way to temper a sword?

mete · Oct 16, 2004

' temper a sword' ? I think you might need some learning to understand the various terms involved in heat treating blades at least if you're talking to me ! You might start by reading my tutorial - www.knivesby.com/robert-cella-1.html

LONE WOLF · Oct 16, 2004

you mean harden and heat treat?

Murnax · Oct 16, 2004

Color case hardening is one of my favorite finishes on firearms, and I'd love to see it done on a knife. Apparently the process won't work for a blade, but at some point I plan to get a handle at least done this way.

LONE WOLF · Oct 16, 2004

is color case hardening like annodizing?

GarageBoy · Oct 16, 2004

Anondizing is electrifying chemically dipped metals. (well for aluminium anyways) For titanium, flame anondizing is burning it

m1marty · Oct 16, 2004

Murnax said:
Color case hardening is one of my favorite finishes on firearms, and I'd love to see it done on a knife. Apparently the process won't work for a blade, but at some point I plan to get a handle at least done this way.

Brownells has a solution that looks like case hardening when you dip a part in it and then hit it with a propane torch. Shouldn't mess with the temper as it only takes a second or two and it's a finish not a treatment.

Murnax · Oct 17, 2004

m1marty said:
Brownells has a solution that looks like case hardening when you dip a part in it and then hit it with a propane torch. Shouldn't mess with the temper as it only takes a second or two and it's a finish not a treatment.

That sounds cool. Do you know what its called or do you have a link? I'm not having any luck finding it with brownell's search.