Hey guys, heat treated my first clay coated blade last night and im not sure what is going on with it. I have it sanded to 180 by hand and gave it a quick etch in ferric to see what i had, I can clearly see the location of the clay and the way the waves match up to the way that the clay was coated on. My concern is that i am also seeing another straighter hamon type line about 1/8 of an inch below the tips of these waves and about 1/4 inch up from the edge. I dont have pics yet as i want to get to a bit higher grit and etch again to verify. My question is could this be almost like three different hardness's or is this an area where the ashi may show more at higher grits and later etching?I do not have a hardness tester but a new file skated on the edge and just marked the spine. so the differential hardness seems to have taken. Im just wondering if i should proceed or if this is a known issue and will give me problems and i should re-treat. Again sorry for no pics right now, i will get them up shortly.
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First hamon showing strange pattern?
- Thread starter Grayzer86
- Start date
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- Oct 3, 2002
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Did you go back to the grinder after HT?
What steel? What clay?
What steel? What clay?
Steel is W2 and is fairly think stock as it is going to be just for skinning, so its 3/32. The clay was imperial refractory fireplace cement, and it was quenched in 130 degree canola oil. I did go back to the grinder to clean it up but just single passes with a dip after each pass. I think i may have to start over because the hamon looks to be getting to close to the edge at the very tip and the first 1/4 inch by the plunge. May be ok but too close for comfort i would say.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
The one answer that works most of the time is; Your clay was too thick.
Just re-clay, heat and quench again. Wont hurt a thing...
Just re-clay, heat and quench again. Wont hurt a thing...
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
In the past I've re-heat treated blades 2-5 times looking for that crazy hamon. 
I also leave the edge at .030" before heat treat and grind .010" or so off each side after I see the hamon I want.
The clay will leave a pattern on the blade that is not a hamon, so ya got to get the 'heat treating crust' off.
I also leave the edge at .030" before heat treat and grind .010" or so off each side after I see the hamon I want.
The clay will leave a pattern on the blade that is not a hamon, so ya got to get the 'heat treating crust' off.