Clark Portable Hardness Tester - Any good? Wilsons?

[Schleifstein]

I may have found a deal on a Clark portable hardness tester. Should I buy or wait for something better?
Thanks for your input.

 

[Ricky D. Finch]

I have a Rockwell M-51 that looks like that. I checked it will the hardness test blocks, and it was good. I would like to have had a bench model, but I ran across mine from another knife maker and the price was right. I'm happy with it.

 

[Karburized]

How about the hrc rated testing files by flexbar? They make a set that indicates up to 65.

 

[Schleifstein]

How about the hrc rated testing files by flexbar? They make a set that indicates up to 65.

I've looked at those several times, but the increments are too large (5hrc). I would like something gets me 2-3 hrc for accuracy at least. Unfortunately, I was outbid on that Clark.

 

[Schleifstein]

How about the hrc rated testing files by flexbar? They make a set that indicates up to 65.

I've looked at those several times, but the increments are too large (5hrc). I would like something gets me 2-3 hrc for accuracy at least. Unfortunately, I was outbid on that Clark.

Btw, I see Wilsons all the time; do the replacement indenters and anvils that Wilson makes now fit on their older models? How hard is it to get parts for older Wilson's? Anybody?

 

[LRB]

I've looked at those several times, but the increments are too large (5hrc). I would like something gets me 2-3 hrc for accuracy at least. Unfortunately, I was outbid on that Clark.

Btw, I see Wilsons all the time; do the replacement indenters and anvils that Wilson makes now fit on their older models? How hard is it to get parts for older Wilson's? Anybody?

Using test blocks or other steels of a verified hardness to practice on a little, you can get that close with the files by feeling the resistance of the cut. Still not as good as real tester though.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Remember that the test files will quickly get worn, and won't indicate the same.

While a hand held unit is better than guessing when you skate a file, there is nothing that will replace a bench tester.

 

[Schleifstein]

Remember that the test files will quickly get worn, and won't indicate the same.

While a hand held unit is better than guessing when you skate a file, there is nothing that will replace a bench tester.

Thanks for the advice, Stacy. It's looking more and more like I'm going to wind up with an older Wilson bench model and recondition it as needed. That said, how is the parts market for an older Wilson hardness tester? Will the newer indenters and anvils be compatible with the older units?