Forge for Heat Treating??

Greg Covington

Greg Covington

Joined
Oct 28, 1999
Messages
1,563
I make my knives from plain carbon steels like 5160, L6 and O1.

I really don't want to invest in a full heat treat oven. I have been looking at a knifemaker's gas forge.

Would this be adequate for heat treatment of these type of steels? Are there any drawbacks for heating to critical temperature in a forge rather than an oven?

I have an old kitchen over for tempering.....but will the forge be good for hardening the blade?

 
A gas forge works very well for getting your blades to critical temp. I generally get the forge up to heat, then turn the gas pressure down as low as i can get it and still keep running. This way i can get a slower, and hopefully more complete heat throghout the blade.

Any how, dont want to take up to much space here, but to answer the question Yes it can be done and done well but there are a few tricks...
 
Mr Lamey,
I am working on building my own propane forge. But last night my dad and I were reading somethings of Ron Reils website about the dangers of it. He said that extreme caution must be used because of the UV rays, The Kaowoal insulations and other things. My question is...do you feel it is dangerous to use a propane forge of should I stick with my coal forge and just improve on it. What are somethings yo remember when using a gas forge. Protective equipment?
Thank you
Luke Freeouf
 
I use my forge to heat treat the simple steels like 5160 and O1. it is pid controlled so i dont have to wory about over temp.
 
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