hamon

C

cjd1980

Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
236
hey guys
i'm thinking about trying a knife with a hamon I have limited heat treat equipment (non pid controlled forge ) and was wondering what type of steel would be the best to try. I am planning a tanto for the first and if it works out I'd like to try a katana thanks in advance for the help -Chris :)
 
hey guys
i'm thinking about trying a knife with a hamon I have limited heat treat equipment (non pid controlled forge ) and was wondering what type of steel would be the best to try. Also any advice for a first timer would be greatly appreciated. I am planning a tanto for the first and if it works out I'd like to try a katana thanks in advance for the help -Chris :)
 
I had good luck using some W2 for my first Hamons. It's a pretty nice steel to work with and it produces a great hamon. I have also seen impressive Hamons out of 1095 and the like.
 
I'd suggest reading the stickies and using the search function. There is a LOT here about steel types and techniques for hamons.

Ok, my recommendation would be either W1 or W2. Followed by 1095.

I started trying real hamons with W1, and now use W2 entirely. W1 is often cheaper and easier to find than W2. It's a little easier to grind and hand sand, too, as it has no vanadium (the main difference between W1 and W2.) When you've gotten good results with W1, a move to W2 will be rewarding- if you get the low manganese stuff (very shallow hardening) from Aldo Bruno, it will respond more dramatically and will cut better yet if treated right, due to the vanadium content.

Satanite and parks 50 oil work well with these steels. You could try water hardening if you are brave, in which case, try quenching with the spine below critical. If you tend to lash out and break things when you are highly frustrated, don't water quench!

I think you'll find that it takes a good while to move on to katana from tanto...
 
thanks I'll look through the stickies tonight not i a huge hurry to move up to a katana. But I train with them and think that it would be cool to make my own.
 
I have been doing some hamons with aldos 1084 and canola oil, It works pretty well but does not seem to give the dramatic results of W2 I see from other makers. Next I am going to W2. I was getting a hamon using a differential quench on 1095. Risky but easy compared to suing santinite.
 
I hadn't decide yet what i would use I have mc master fast quench I also canola and I could do water but a a little afraid to try it
 
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