Grinding Bevel on 154CM Before HT

Langadune

Langadune

Joined
Apr 19, 2012
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212
From what I've read around here, the consensus seems to be that I'm gonna want to profile my blade, then get it heat treated, then work on the bevel and finish. However, I'm still working on my grinding technique... my bevel lines are not crisp yet (in fact, they're a bit wavy), so that will be a problem for me until get better control of that. So far, my best bevels have come from draw-filing; and I think that'll be very difficult (if not impossible) after heat treat.

I've been doing pretty good draw-filing to get my final bevel with 1095, and have been pretty satisfied so far. I don't know much about working with stainless, so I guess I'm curious if I can do the same with 154CM as I would with 1095. Get my bevel and finish as close to final as possible (short of sharpening) then HT?

I'm not entirely ready to tackle a kitchen knife yet, but that's my goal.
 
Draw-filing is an excellent way to shape your bevels, especially compared to a less-than-optimal grinder. Mistakes happen more slowly and are easier to fix. You can grind as close to complete as you're comfortable, and then clean up/even up your bevels by draw-filing and hand-sanding. Take your time and concentrate on getting your geometry right before worrying about getting fast.

Langadune said:
Get my bevel and finish as close to final as possible (short of sharpening) then HT?
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My first question is pretty much always, "what's the plan for HT and who's doing it?" If it's pro-quality HT and the blade is protected from oxygen during the hardening phase, (either in an inert furnace or properly wrapped in stainless foil), you can indeed basically finish the blade (leaving a dull edge, .010-.020" thick) before HT. Being protected from oxygen will prevent large amounts of scale and decarburized steel on the surface, which would require grinding away. It will just need to be cleaned up and sharpened, and basically be ready to go. This is the same for low-alloy steels or stainless.

If you're working with an open forge or a torch system for HT, stainless is not a good candidate for several reasons.

Langadune said:
I'm not entirely ready to tackle a kitchen knife yet, but that's my goal.
Click to expand...

That's wise. Thin, super keen blades are more difficult to get right.
 
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I don't have the facilities to do my own heat treat, so it will definitely be a professional job. I've got several blades in the works right now (all contending for my "first complete knife") with the intention to send them as a batch for treating. As to who's doing it... not sure yet.
 
If it works well for you no matter what you're doing on the knife, stay with it. Try changes on test material. Frank
 
Langadune said:
I don't have the facilities to do my own heat treat, so it will definitely be a professional job. I've got several blades in the works right now (all contending for my "first complete knife") with the intention to send them as a batch for treating.
Click to expand...

Make a dozen, and make them all from the same steel to keep costs under control. Take your time. At this point in your knifemaking progress, now is the time to experiment with basic designs and edge/bevel geometry, not steel types.

Since you're comfortable working with 1095, stick with it for now; it's a fine choice for a working knife. When HT'ed well and tempered to 58-60Rc, it can take a very nice edge and hold it pretty well.

When you get them back, cut/slice a bunch of stuff with them and decide which of your designs/grind styles work best, you will have a very solid base from which to expand into stainless steels, if you want to.
 
Thanks for the advice James and Frank. I had been hoping to make some kitchen knives as Christmas gifts this year but I'm not sure my skill will be where I need them to be by then. I'm gonna keep working 1095 and maybe 1084 (learn a little about HT) as both of you suggested, mostly camp/edc types knives and maybe move toward making a high carbon kitchen knife. I know I've still got alot to learn/improve. I have six different knives on my bench, mostly waiting my final finish before HT... and they keep waiting because I keep going back and tweaking things. It's funny how much they have evolved from the original profile to where they are now.
 
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