Differential heat treat?

KeithAM

KeithAM

Joined
Dec 15, 2003
Messages
3,154
I did a search and there are a couple of contradictory references regarding whether RATs have differential heat treat. I'd like to have this pinned down if you could, something more than "I heard," or "I think." If you've got a source, please provide a link.

So, what RAT models, if any, have differential heat treat?

Thanks! ;)
 
Ya know, I just recently fired off a spew about RAT and their diff. HT and the reasons for it's superiority:foot:. Then, you posted this and I really went looking and found this quote from Jeff:

The RAT Cutlery heat treat is now a straight heat treat (not differential) at 57 Rc. We have a test video on the web site that shows the flex we're achieving with this heat treat in 1095. It's pretty awesome for 1095 @ 57 Rc.
Click to expand...

Now, this is going back to Dec. of '07. Alot of models have been released since then and some of those might have been the exception.

I'm sure Jeff will chime in with definitive info at some point.

Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
If they don't break I don't worry about why they don't break but I guess I'm in the minority.:o
 
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I wish that video would work on my computer. I've tried it a couple times with no luck. I get noise but no pictures at all.
 
We started out doing some differential but Shon came up with a great process that allowed a lot of flex without differentially treating the blade. So, we do not differentially treat any knife now, but we do use a proprietary method developed by Rowen. I know when you hear the word "proprietary" the first reaction is BULLSH*T since so many companies make those claims, but our process is truly unique for 1095.
 
R.A.T. said:
We started out doing some differential but Shon came up with a great process that allowed a lot of flex without differentially treating the blade. So, we do not differentially treat any knife now, but we do use a proprietary method developed by Rowen. I know when you hear the word "proprietary" the first reaction is BULLSH*T since so many companies make those claims, but our process is truly unique for 1095.
Click to expand...

I didn't equate proprietary to bullsh*t, I figured it was a differental HT of some kind.

It must be something special to get the kind of flex your achieving in that video.
 
Thanks for the answers! :thumbup:

I'm not sure differential offers much advantage until you get to longer blades anyway.
 
Sorry dude if I implied you did. Didn't mean it that way. What I meant to say is there is a lot of BS out there when it comes to special heat treats.
 
I just watched that bending video. That is f'n AMAZING! That thing bent over to about 45 degrees and looked perfectly straight after.

I don't think I'll be trying it with my RC-4 or IZULAs (I have 4), but it's nice to know that I can, if I have to.

If the hardness is 57, why does my RC-4 hold an edge much longer than my similar knives (with the same 19 degree edge I give all my knives) that have S30V blades (rated at 59-60)?
 
R.A.T. said:
We started out doing some differential but Shon came up with a great process that allowed a lot of flex without differentially treating the blade. So, we do not differentially treat any knife now, but we do use a proprietary method developed by Rowen. I know when you hear the word "proprietary" the first reaction is BULLSH*T since so many companies make those claims, but our process is truly unique for 1095.
Click to expand...

From my experience its the same as TOPS Rowen made blades.
 
SubaruSTi said:
From my experience its the same as TOPS Rowen made blades.
Click to expand...

No, your observations may indicate that the heat treat is similar, but unless you have experience heat treating the steel with Shon Rowan....then you do not know.;)
 
The heat treat is proprietary to Rowen Manufacturing so I would assume that Rowen may use this on whoever/whatever knife he produces. And they would be happy campers I bet!
 
R.A.T. said:
The heat treat is proprietary to Rowen Manufacturing so I would assume that Rowen may use this on whoever/whatever knife he produces. And they would be happy campers I bet!
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm very happy with the steel on my RC-4. more over I think the design of the knife is perfect. If you ever put black screws on the tan RC-4 I will buy one of those too! Better yet a green one!
 
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