Heat treat and tempering 1095?

Go for it... what is the worst that could happen? Either it will be a piece of junk, you might get lucky and nail it perfectly, or it will be somewhere in between.

If it goes bad.... all you will have lost is a piece of steel, a bit of time and some wood for the fire. But you will have learned something either way.

I have a friend on this forum that makes knives. As far as I am concerned he has 1095 heat treat down to a science... his knives are about perfect in all ways. I am sure a lot of the guys knives, that have posted here on the subject; are the same.... I just don't have them so I can't comment on them.

But, you have heard the good advice they have given.... so be it. Experiment and give it a try... you have not much to lose even if it turns out a total loss. :thumbup:

Go for it and let us know what happens. :thumbup:
 
Is possible to be done, and is likely to be done, are not the same thing.
I made my first knife some where around 40 years ago. Around that many years ago I tried heat-treating in bon-fires, making knives out of junk metal, and a lot of other time waisting things. I did make some good knives, "sometimes" but I sure waisted a lot of time. If you just want to burn a big pile of wood then go head with your plan. If you want to increase the likelihood that you could produce a usable knife then make your self a simple washtub forge with a hair-drier for a blower and get some lump charcoal. Then a piece of 1075/80 steel. You'll increase your odds for success dramatically.
 
I decided to follow instructions on how to make a steel knife on primitive ways page and It worked good. Blade is very hard but I'm impressed for my first knife. Took charcoal, my ground blade from 1095, , set on fire, put steel in, used my shop-vac to blow the fire hot, waited till red hot, removed , quenched in burnt oil, tempered 30 min in 410f oven, very nice. there is a slight bend in the knife. My understanding is that I could have straighten it out with gloved hands right out of quench?
 
and jantz supply does not have 1084 in annealed stock, is this harder to get than 1095 for some reason?
 
Here is the pic, straight ground, Always wanted a short stubby straight cut for utility work, this slices leather like a razor.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
Ty for link, and sorry about the gigantic photo, Nothing in 1/8?, that quarter will be a beast to file down. Man I feel like a kid that just learned to ride a bike. So many possibilities have oppened to me hehehehe
 
As for straightening out of the quench, you have to do that before the martensite conversion begins or you risk breaking the blade. The quench has to be interrupted at around 450-500F and then the stock can be straightened with gloved hands or a wooden mallet. The steel in that phase is very malleable. However, once the blade hits martensite start close to 400F, it will rapidly become brittle.

--nathan
 
Also, 30 minutes is not quite a proper temper. Your blade may be brittle. Tempering is a matter or temperature AND time. At least an hour per temper, and often enough two hours.
 
ok, so if it is brittle can it be tempered softer now or the whole ht process has to be repeated. IN other words is it couple days later to late to re temper.
 
once it gets below about 400 it's too late to straighten.
I work in New Hartford if you ever want to have me look at what you're doing and make suggestions

-Page
 
ohh sweet, a local, yeah Id like to talk to a person. I reheated it straightened and then quenched it again and tempered for an hour at 400, its even better and straight now.It was just a bit chippy before, now it looks like its perfect. Ty guys
 
Now again where do you guys get your 1084 in 1/8 , Im gonna stick to smaller blades for now and 1/4 is little to much to file.?
 
Now my understanding is that 1084 is easier to work with but can not get as har as 1095 in conditions im working with. I really like how well this knife keeps its edge
 
I'm not sure if Aldo has any in 1/8, I'd try him first

Office: (862) 203-8160
Fax: (973) 689-9501
Email: aldo@njsteelbaron.com

if he doesn't have it try Kelly Cupples

octihunter@charter.net

I still have some 1/8 x 1 1/4 1084 that I got from Kelly before Aldo started selling steel down at my shop in Ithaca, not bad stuff, a little thin for forging, and you would probably want to pickle the mill scale off before trying to file it (sodium bisulfate works, people say vinegar does too)

-Page
 
sweet ill send you a pm , im little busy this week but id like to buy 1084 from you deff
 
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