Heat treat 440C

[adammichael]

I have 1 small knife that i made out of 440C. Is there a way to heat treat 44C with a torch?

I need to finish it for the Badger Knife Show this weekend.

Dont ask me why i waited until now to do it.
Michael

 

[rlinger]

No, at least not to your wanting. These type steels require greater attention than more simple composition. The soak times and temperature consistency is tight.

RL

 

[ddavelarsen]

Michael why'd you wait until now to HT this knife?! For what it's worth, I did one in my one brick forge once, very low heat, in and out for a looooonnnng time and quenched in oil. It sort of hardened and I carried the knife for quite a while, but it was not up to the standard heat treat. I've heard others have done it more successfully...but maybe that's just a myth.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

No,you can't HT 440 at home with simple means.It requires higher temperatures,longer times,oxygen exclusion,and more.Send it to any heat treater (Texas knife supply,etc.)
The other choice is to find someone close enough to go to them.In either event you would not have enough time to finish the knife by Saturday.It will take a day to HT and nearly a day to temper,then you have to finish the blade,assemble the handle and finish the whole knife,make a sheath,etc.You should have it ready by the blade show.If you try and rush it you will end up with a Pakistani import quality knife.