Cheap easy Rockwell tests?

Jeff Clark

Jeff Clark

Joined
Apr 27, 1999
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This has probably been answered many times, but 'search' function is not working and I didn't see it in 'knowledge base': Is there a cheap and effective Rockwell tester I can buy? I don't care about marring the blades that I want to test, but I want to do about 30 of them. I want to learn more about kitchen cutlery "mystery alloys".

As another option and/or resource is there any type of shop in an average US city that can do cheap rockwell tests for you?
 
The was a thread some time ago about the file RC testers. They come as a package of files treated at different RC's. You estimate your RC by scratching the tang with a file... if it scratches the steel move down a file, if it doesn't, move up. Each file is labled to what RC the file represents.

However I have not had accurate measurements with the files. If I remember correctly the RC in my sole testing case was off about 3-4 points.

Steve
 
Thanks Steve,

I guess I may be interested in somewhat more expensive testers than that. Has anyone tried the Ames portable hardness testers? Do they work? What do they cost?
 
Most of the hardness testers I've seen being sold by the knifemaker supply shops run about $800.
About the only other option is if your community has a tool and die shop, or a heat treating shop with its own tester, and you could talk them into testing your blades for you.

madpoet
 
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