Edge quenching

G

GRapp

Joined
Nov 14, 2022
Messages
195
I just finished reading Wayne Goddard's $50 knife shop. He wrote about how he hardens just the edge rather than the entire blade. There's even paragraphs about softening the back. Do you or have you edge quenched and was it of value?
 
I have done edge quenches.
I do not recommend them. There are several reasons, but the short answer is that it isn't a good method.
Ed published that book a couple decades ago. The info in it is much older. Just like the fact that you can't start making knives for $50, Ed's advice on HT is also dated.
I don't want to start up an old disagreement, so I'll just say that his metallurgy isn't necessarily accurate.

This is the book you should read. Dr. Larrin Thomas is one of the leading knife steel metallurgists. He is right here in Shop Talk, too.
knifesteelnerds.com

New Book! Knife Engineering: Steel, Heat Treating, and Geometry - Knife Steel Nerds

Update 4/14/2024: Gameco is sold out but Amazon Australia has it now. Update 3/29/2022: I added that SD Knives and Supplies is the place to buy in South Africa Update 3/31/2021: I added that Gameco is the place to buy in Australia. Update 10/13/2020: I completed a minor revision to Knife...
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Excellent, I have added this as my third book to read now! Thanks for the guidance. What other sources do you recommend, if any? You mentioned Ed, did Wayne also go by Ed?
 
Is edge-quenching still the preferred method for passing the bend test during an ABS Journeyman test?
 
Way-Barney said:
It would stay bent wouldn't it?
surely that's not right.
Click to expand...

Yes, it stays bent. It is a portion of the test to demonstrate the heat treating capabilities of the petitioner to achieve a specific end, not a demonstration of preferential characteristics for a daily knife. That said, a bent knife can usually be straightened to usability, a broken one not so much.

There are a whole lot of fotos circulating of guys with a bent knife in one hand and a big sh!t-eating grin that attest to how happy a knife bent 90 degrees without snapping can make you! ;)
 
I'm obviously not an authority here but in the book I mentioned, there's a picture of a knife in a vise and the ABS applicant is leaned back on it. The blade (or just softened steel at that point) is a good 90 degrees as the examiner watches.
 
The replies about the ABS test in reference to the OP question about edge quenching is comparing Apples to Oranges.

The ABS test has nothing to do with making a usable knife. It is a test to see if you can make a blade with certain dictated parameters. Those are not necessarily what you would want in a real user knife. There have been dozens of treads over the topic.

Consider it akin to your shop teacher telling you to make a screw with a diameter of .189", a taper of 7°, and a pitch of 11.6 TPI. That isn't really a good screw, but if you can make it, you can make any screw you want.
The ABS test shows you know how to control HT to get any desired result in a knife.
 
I have just joined ABS, I am an apprentice again.. YAAAAAY!
I note that there are no Journeymen or mastersmiths in England.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
The replies about the ABS test in reference to the OP question about edge quenching is comparing Apples to Oranges.

The ABS test has nothing to do with making a usable knife. It is a test to see if you can make a blade with certain dictated parameters. Those are not necessarily what you would want in a real user knife. There have been dozens of treads over the topic.

Consider it akin to your shop teacher telling you to make a screw with a diameter of .189", a taper of 7°, and a pitch of 11.6 TPI. That isn't really a good screw, but if you can make it, you can make any screw you want.
The ABS test shows you know how to control HT to get any desired result in a knife.
Click to expand...
Read again. I said it is not the formula for a daily knife and pointed out it was used as an ABS skill test to demonstrate control. The fact it is seldom done on a knife for sale now does not preclude the fact that it was popular in the 1980s and '90s and pretty common on knives for sale. Some people made their reputation on it. That and sheephorn.

And though the Journeyman test is an exaggerated version of the technique, the fact remains the purpose of edge quenching is to prevent breakage.
 
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Pinoy Knife said:
You do realize ABS is
American Bladesmith Society ??? so yea you might not find too many on the other side of the pond...
Click to expand...
Your Joking,,FFS
I should have done more research.
I better start saving up for a visit to Atlanta.
Are there any race tracks near there?
I have always wanted to visit Ponce de Leon st, looks very busy down there,
 
Actually, about 1/5 of the 115 Mastersmiths live outside the USA. sadly, none in the UK and only a few in Europe. Canada has some, and Australia has a good number. The rest are scattered around. With judging only done at Blade Shows, it greatly limits the overseas or distant US candidates.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Actually, about 1/5 of the 115 Mastersmiths live outside the USA. sadly, none in the UK and only a few in Europe. Canada has some, and Australia has a good number. The rest are scattered around. With judging only done at Blade Shows, it greatly limits the overseas or distant US candidates.
Click to expand...
I will reach out to the European Mastersmiths to see if any are still testing. There is plenty time to get things worked out, we visit Europe several times a year, it would be nice to combine a holiday with knifework.
 
I'm from ATL and live in the northern suburbs now. I can tell you Ponce is not a preferred destination for our UK friends, or anyone else really. Come to bladeshow enjoy the after show extracurriculars and stay mostly the hell away from ITP (inside the perimeter) and you'll have a great time. There is a ton of fun to be had in ATL but wandering aimlessly isn't to be encouraged. Road Atlanta is amazing, there is sure to be something running that weekend. Also a motor sports park nearby in Dahlonega, and if ur out that way Helen, GA is a fun place to get a hotel and drink too much German beer. And the next day flog your rental car on the dragons tail.
 
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