Hardening a rr spike blade?

B

bladeartguy

Joined
Sep 7, 2010
Messages
2
I apolgise if this is posted somewhere else, feel free to move it or delete it if you feel the need. I did look but seem unable to locate the info. I have been tinkering with my first rr spike knife, HC steel. It has been forged, twisted, and annealed in moist sand for working the blade. I am now ready to harden I think. I don't want to get the blade exactly where I want it as of yet that is, correct? I want to harden first, then edge it and finish sand it correct?

What temp am I looking for, or color for the blade? RR spike are not tool steel ( I don't believe) so Im not sure how hot to heat it. What is the best oil mix for rr spike blades, diesel and motor mix, for a survial blade that is?

Then it's time for finishing and then to temper, correct?

Sorry for all the questions, I am just a bit unsure and want some opinions and answers from people that have done rr spike blades and have had good sucess. I plan on POSSIBLY trying to sell a few but I want them done the right way, not just beat a blade out polish it and sell it..I want to do it the right way and have them keep a good edge and make the customer happy and trust he/she is getting the best bang for their buck.
 
ok, maybe I am on my own then..lol..have to get out the old texts tonight, do some of my own reasearch..have to dust the cobwebs out first..
 
RR spikes don't have enough carbon in them to harden into a good blade. Only suggestion I have to offer is to case harden it. Case hardening can penetrate 3-4 thous into the steel or twice that from both sides. That should be enough to give you a good edge, but one that won't take much sharpening before you get back into the soft mild steel.

Easier way to case harden is to heat to cherry red and plunge in Casenite, available from Brownells or other gunsmith suppliers.

Heating to cherry red and plunging into used motor oil will give you a nice blue-black, but won't penetrate as deeply.

Tempering will not be needed, because there is not enough carbon in a RR spike to make it brittle in the first place.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top