Hardness testing

[unky_gumbi]

I was just wondering what everyone uses to test the hrdness of thier knives. I have been cruising the internet looking at portable hardness testers they seem to be quite expensive

 

[SteelSlaver]

Keep looking on ebay. I got mine for under $200 if I remember right

 

[nullack]

I dont use a hardness tester. When I need to, I send my blades for metallographic examination. I was advised that for a hardness tester to work the surface needs to be flat and there is the possibility of not getting an accurate measurement. With the metallographic examination I get hardness data all along the blade, including the very edge. Also I get feedback on other things like grain size, retained austenite, if the edge has been damaged by machine work from buffing or grinding etcetc

 

[Kunklec]

I got an Ames tester on fleebay for less than $200 shipped. MAde bids on about 10 before I got lucky. Make sure it has the diamond indenter for the C scale. A new diamond will cost more than $200. Mine seems to work well, very repeatable results, close to the test blocks.
Chip Kunkle

 

[SteelSlaver]

It is true that you need to use flat parallel surfaces. If not and the diamond tip slides even a little when you start to load it your results will be off. I think you could make an angled "shoe for the bottom part to fix this.