getting bent blades straight

What is the best way to straighten out bent blades. I have about a 7" 5160 blade on a fighter that developed a slight curve at the tip (too much to grind out). This knife got a triple hardening and just got out of original shape at some point in the process.

I am planning on using a vise with pipes, 2 on one side, 1 on the other. Any better ideas without resorting to reheating the blade?
 
tejas,
BE SURE THE SPINE OF THE BLADE IS SOFT BEFORE YOU TRY TO BEND IT!!!!!!

Wouldn't want to see you break it. Go SLOW when trying to straighten. If you feel very much resistance, anneal the blade and start over.

I've used the same method to straighten kinks in blades before and it will work fine JUST AS LONG AS THE BACK IS SOFT!!!!

'nough said!

Craig Blankenship
Blankenship Knives
 
I've never done that successfully. Bend hardened steel, that is. It breaks. Sorry

------------------
Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com




[This message has been edited by GaKnife (edited 01-19-2000).]
 
tejas,
BE SURE THE SPINE OF THE BLADE IS SOFT BEFORE YOU TRY TO BEND IT!!!!!!

Wouldn't want to see you break it. Go SLOW when trying to straighten. If you feel very much resistance, anneal the blade and start over.

I've used the same method to straighten kinks in blades before and it will work fine JUST AS LONG AS THE BACK IS SOFT!!!!

'nough said!

Craig Blankenship
Blankenship Knives
 
K

knifemaker3

Joined
Dec 26, 1999
Messages
119
tejas,

one other thing. Instead of using pipes, try using 1/4"-3/8" Brass rods. They are smaller and give a more precise way to attack the bend.

Hope this helps!!

------------------
Craig Blankenship
Blankenship Knives
http://www.blankenship-knives.com
 
I have straightened blades after heat treat Ok, and broken them too. I think it depends on what kind of steel you are using to some extent. Also heat the blade up before you bend it, not hot enough to draw any temper just too hot to hold in bare hands, say 200 degrees F. If you haven't deep drawn the spine soft, then go ahead and do that before anything.
 
Hello,

Straighting for Carbon steel oil quenched blades is Simple if you do it right out of the quench while the blade is still at about 400 degrees,just tweak it and then back into the oil.

Also on Stainless blade if there is a slight warp you can use 3 half inch by 4 inch Dowel
Pins,,, put two spread between the blade on the side away from the Warp and then use the Third one where the Warp is in the middle or so, line this up in a vise and carfully tighten the vice until it brings the blade straight. Then use a OXY,ACET tourch and Consentrate a SMall intence flame on the Spine where the Third Pin is located,,this forces the Blade to relaz at that point and holds the blade tru after you release pressure. On a badly warrped blade you may have to do this in different areas to get it straight.

The Major Causes of Warpage during Heat Treat are the Following :

1. Uneven Grinding from side to side.

2. Heat stress build up to one side from getting the blade to hot during Grinding.

3. Movement in the Quench Medium (oil) during the Transformation Phase or the Grain structure.

4. Grinding the blade to thin prior to Heat treat.

5. All of the above

It has been along long time since i have had a Blade i made Warp at all in Heat treat,,thats because i dont do the Above when i make it.

my .02

See ya, Allen

------------------
Allen Blade
Spokane,WA USA

" It is Always Better to learn The RIGHT Way, Than to Continue Doing it WRONG "

My Custom Knives :
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/meadows/1770/allenblade.html
 
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