Did I ruin my heat treat?

A

asdf12345

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Jul 4, 2014
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I took a Bic lighter to a blade and thought there would be a gradual color change. Instead, some soot formed and I was able to wipe it off leaving the steel bright again. The blade was very hot to the touch. I have heard Bic lighters reach temps of ~600 C, would this be enough to mess up a heat treatment?
 
You DON'T want to deliberately alter the color of the steel using heat. If the blade's color hasn't yet been permanently altered, you're probably OK. A heat-induced change in color (blue/purple/red/etc.) that doesn't come off is usually an indication the heat treat (therefore the blade's temper) has been changed, usually for the worse.

Temper of the blade can usually be affected at temps above about 400°F (~200°C) or so. 600°C is obviously a lot hotter (~1100°F), but the small size of the lighter's flame might (hopefully) limit any serious damage deeper into the steel. If you haven't seen any permanent change in color (excluding the black soot that wipes off), you probably didn't do so much damage, if any.


David
 
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Was the flame within 1/3" from the edge? and steel type?
If yes and for most steels (except - tool steels - those can be temper up to 1050F), there is a good chance that your edge is compromised/softened. i.e. roll easily.
Pic?
 
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