Cryo treatment, ? worth the money?

C

clausDenmark

Joined
May 20, 1999
Messages
59
I have read a lot about croy treatment lately, and i am wondering if its only a temporary fashion, or if it is here to stay.

I would like to know what actually happens when you cryotreat a blade, and what it actually costs.

And where should i go to find some techical info on the subject.

Thank you



------------------
Claus Christensen

When you have playboy channel, why get married
 
i know for a fact it reduces the retained authensite(just guessing on thye spelling) by dropping the temp below air quenching temp, the less authensite in a blade the less brittle it is. it is worth it, but you can use other forms of cryo besides nitrogen.
 
Claus,

Cryo treatment has been around a long time and is definitely here to stay.

Does it do any good? Yes to the tenth power.

You can use dry ice in a styrofoam cooler and acheive -110 F hold for 12 to 24 hours and get good results.

If you have access to and are comfortable working with liquid nitrogen you can acheive better than-300 F and do LOTS of good.

I'm sure there are books on the subject, but an easier method of getting info. might be to write Blade Magazine for back copies containing articles on freeze treating. Ed Fowler and Wayne Goddard covered the ground pretty well.

If we are lucky, RJ Martin might jump in here and give some good technical information.

Hope this helps,

Gary Bradburn
 
Claus,

Just to echo what Gary said... It has been around a long time. My 13th edition of the Machinery's Handbook, dated 1946, has real good information on the process.

I do not think it will be a fad, It's just like makeing damacus steel, it was discovered a long time ago, but we just forgot about it... It's taken till now to re-invent the process.

Years ago, cooling steel down was not as simple a process as it is today, I think it's here to stay.

Bruce
 
What steels should be cryoed?? Are there any that shouldn't be? Who does cryo treatment for other makers? Thanks for the info Gary and Bruce! Take care! Michael

------------------
"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
I have been Cryo treating for a long time! The best way I have found is with liquid nitrogen. I bought a very well made dewar from a company that was going out of business for $25! The same one new would probably cost about $200 +/- a few bucks. My local welding supply charges me $15 to fill it. I also fill it for free when the lab at work has extra! It usually lasts from two weeks to a month depending on how many blades I do. This in the long run will be less expensive and is much colder that the dry ice method.
Safety precausions MUST be taken!! Afer my first bare skin run in with it....I now wear insulated gloves, safety glasses, face shield and an apron!! Plus I use special tongs to handle the cold blades. I would have to say that spilling liquid nitrogen on bare skin is about the same as molten lead!!
Neil



------------------
Just updated 10/31!! New Knives, New Pics!!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html



[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 08 November 1999).]
 
Oh, I forgot....
I've been told that all but the simple carbon steels benefit from the Cryo quench! I Cryo my D2,A2 and when I use it ATS-34.
Rob Simonich, I believe explained this in detail a while back. It should be in the archives.
Neil

------------------
Just updated 10/31!! New Knives, New Pics!!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top