gremlin

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gremlin

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Aug 2, 2015
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I'm interested in doing some differential heat treating and I'm wondering what kind of clay to use? Do I have to order some special stuff or there something easily available that will work? I just started doing my own heat treat and so far it seems to be working very well. One thing I got from another maker i'd like to, pass on. I was using a lot of "elbow grease" and fine sandpaper cleaning off burnt oil etc and he suggested putting the knives in a boiling vinegar bath, taking them out periodically and scrubbing with blue scotchbrite pads. It works!
 
Satanite is the usual stuff used by modern knife makers. Available from various places, Hightemptools I believe carries it. However, an easier product to procure is Rutland's black furnace cement, and it works quite well. Some prefer the Rutland's type stuff because it's already mixed up, and easy to apply.
 
While it may not be ideal, for a backyard HT and looking for a HT line or a hamon, I have Seen results with furnace cement as Stuart said.

I found it in the plumbing aisle at my local Home Depot and Lowes.
But, I will suggest you wear gloves as most of them have glass insulation in them, or other comparable nasties...
 
What is in the furnace cement that is a concern used to be called "water-glass". It is sodium silicate. Bad for you skin, as it is a cousin of lye. Just handle it with care and wash up well after use. As Bill said, some brands are "fiber reinforced", which means they have mineral glass fibers to strengthen them when dry.
 
The grey will work, but you have to thin it a bit, and it tends to pop off the blade easier. You can try some and see what your results are.

Another compound used by many people is AGP#36. It can be found at plumbing/boiler supply shops and some hardware stores. A visit to a plumbing and heating supplier will likely turn up many similar compounds. A visit to a plumbing and heating repair shop that deals with boilers may get you a small container full for free. ( take a coffee can with lid along)
Check the old fashion hardware stores, as well as fireplace shops, too.

Look up "refractory supplies near XXXXX(your zip code)" online. You may have an industrial supplier in your area you don't know about. I bought a 50# bag of refractory for $20 from a place I have passed hundreds of times and never knew what they sold.




To be honest, satanite is so cheap that it should just be ordered from HTT&R. A pound including shipping is about $10. Five pounds plus shipping is about $20 ( best deal for blade work). Put in a zip lock bag and stored in a plastic storage container, the dry powder will last for years. Just mix a little when you need it.
http://www.hightemptools.com/refractorycoatings.html
 
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