Clay Quench and Curvature

M

Mike Arsenault

Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
84
The tanto knife (as well as the katana, etc.) achieves it's curvature due to the fact that the edge matensite is slightly larger in volume than the pearlite/cementite/ferrite in the spine. Right?

I'd like to jump into the clay quech thing ASAP, 'cause I want to see cool hamons on my knives ASAP. But I'm wondering: How do you prevent serious curvature on a straight knife when using a clay quench? Is it mostly a matter of grinding it out later if it happens?

I'd like to build a fairbairn-sykes knife someday (my favorite childhood knife), with a hamon right up the middle...
 
Long clay coated baldes curve up quenched in water and down in oil. You will get little curve in short blades and no curve on a dager with clay down the middle. Now get to work ASAP :D
 
Sori on a long blade (katana, wakazashi) is formed by the interrupted quench making a martensitic edge and a fine pearlite spine.One expands and the other shrinks (very basic explanation) and this causes the blade to curve (or break, PING_PING_PING). In shorter blades there is little or no sori formed. It is usually forged or ground in if a curve is desired. The hamon is not actually a function of the sori. It is the border where the martensite meets the pearlite.

All that said, you first have to master a regular quench before yo move to advanced quenches. Would you want a surgeon who never bothered to learn how to suture?
Stacy
 
True enough, but I've always been a "learn the hard way" kind of guy. Some times I like to see just how hard an advanced teqnique will be through expirience (read: failure). It seems to have a humbling effect that allows me to clear my head and concentrate on the basics. Hindsight is 20/20 sort of thing... And once in awhile, it'll actually work out, which is always cool.
 
I refer to my standard example....Would you want a surgeon who learns the hard way???
There is a reason to learn things in a certain order.
At least you are not apprenticing for a smith who has you only sweep out the ashes for a year before starting on a first project.The old school masters would have a novice learn only one basic skill at a time, gradually building up to complex skills (Wax on...Wax off).
 
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