First Completed Folder and heat treat question

[Greg Garner]

Here is a picture of my first completed folder. It has Black Micarta handles, 440C, NS pins and Pivot bolt. I gave it to my 9 year old son for his Bear Cub Scout knife. The fixed blade is a 6" knife I finished several years ago...

This was also my first attempt at heat treating in a Sugar Creek heat treat oven with the digital control. Though I don't have a Rockwell tester, it seems to have come out ok. I sharpened it up and whittled on some wood and the blade seemed to perform and hold up pretty well.

Question: How critical is it that the blade not get below 125 degrees F when in transition between hardening and then tempering? Basically this blade got cool enough for me to handle it with bare hands in between heating steps.

Anyone have experience with the Sugar Creek oven with the digital control? I have a couple of questions if you've got some time.

Thanks for any help, Greg

 

[Andrew Ovalles]

looks real nice. Your son must be happy, i plan to work on folders just right now that fixed blades hold my fascination.

 

[David Wesner]

Both look really great Greg . Nice job :thumbup:

 

[Don Robinson]

Question: How critical is it that the blade not get below 125 degrees F when in transition between hardening and then tempering? Basically this blade got cool enough for me to handle it with bare hands in between heating steps.

Thanks for any help, Greg

Greg, the reason for tempering a blade before it cools down to room temperature is to relieve the tremendous stresses set up when the steel is rapidly quenched. Imagine tensing a muscle and not being able to release it.

You don't need to wait until your furnace cools down.

Give the blade a "flash quench" in your kitchen oven for an hour at 350 degreesF, then you can temper later.

 

[Greg Garner]

Thanks all for the kind words and thanks very much for the heat treating advise. I'll try that with my next attempt.

Greg