hardness tester

C

crank78

Joined
Dec 21, 2013
Messages
336
well I thought I wanted a hardness tester. that was until I googled them and seen the price. what could make them so high. are the files a decent alternative?
 
You can find used ones sometimes at a good price. I couldn't so I went with the grizzly hardness tester.
 
The honest truth is that a hardness tester is a big expensive toy. It does an excellent job of testing steel hardness if calibrated right, and is lovely to have.....But, 99% of knifemakers will never need one.

Using a good file to check the edge for hardness after quench, and testing the edge with a brass rod flex test after temper will tell you all you want to know. Saying, "This blade is Rc59.5" is nice, but saying, "This blade cuts like there is no tomorrow" is far better.
 
The engineer in me likes knowing the exact hardness, so I like having mine... but I agree it may not be the extremely necessary for a lot of makers.

Check Ebay for old Ames portable testers. Make sure you check the listing carefully to ensure you're getting what you need (diamond penetrator, etc), as a lot of the listings are missing parts. I got mine for under $200 with two testing blocks and a diamond penetrator, was usually accurate within a point. Never looked into getting it calibrated, but I believe they still service them. I've since upgraded to a benchtop model, as I feel like it has less room for operator error, but the little portable guy was great for the money.
 
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yea just by looking at them I figured it would be a 50-100$ tool. I may get the files but blad makes a good point. I did see some portable models for 75$ or so. im not sure how accurate they are tho.
 
I've got the big grizzly and while files are fine for someone making straight
blades, slipjoints are another story, Try skating a file and guessing how hard
a spring is. I made a lot of slipjoints before I had one (also had a fair amount
of springs break) Now I check every blade and spring and also have'nt had a
bad spring in 5+? years.
Ken.
 
Ken is an example of the maker who needs the info.


Crank - A $75 hand held hardness tester would be a poor choice. Testers of any quality for knives will need to be a large bench mounted type similar to the standard Wilson Rockwell tester. The test requires heavy beams that will not flex, a heavy lifter for the anvil, and fairly heavy weights to apply 150Kg of forge to the tester stylus ( which is made from a diamond). I doubt you will find one of any quality that weighs much less than 100 pounds ( just a guess).
 
There are several manufacturing processes where hardness testing is a part of their job. There is probably one in your area.

I have a hook-up here at a metal fabrication specialty shop. They will test anything I bring to them on their uberexpensive Briro R hardness tester. Make friends with a similar shop in your area and you can tell a customer their knife is 59.58RC...Lol. Find the HMFIC and make em a knife as a 'peace offering.' :)
 
I made knives well over 24 years without one, but got one last year. Did I really need one? No, but sure wish I'd have got one many years ago. It is really cool to see what ya got & know what ya get...

As far as price, I sold a very good used one yesterday for $300. I paid $200 for the Wilson I use now.

If I couldn't fine a used one, I'd get a Grizzly for $900. They work pretty good.
 
I don't see me really having to have one any time soon. ill just wait until a good deal pops up on a used one.
 
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