Differentially HT'ing folder blade: Pivot area too soft?

[bruleront]

So I had a blade differentially heat treated and now my detent ball is grinding into the blade. I take it this is going to be a problem before long. Is it fixable?

Generally speaking, what's the best way to heat treat a 1095 folder blade so that there's a temper line, but the pivot, detent, and lockface areas are sufficiently hardened?

 

[Don Hanson III]

Yep, that will be a problem. Re-heat treat if it's not already ground too thin.

I just leave the clay off the areas I want to harden.