heat treat confusion

[wrankin]

There are a lot of variables in this story - a couple quick questions:

1. how did you calibrate your oven temperature?
2. did you verify that your blades had reached (and gone well beyond) non-magnetic when you took them out of the oven?
3. did you pre-heat the canola oil before your quench?

Thanks,

-bill

 

[JTknives]

Also if you are quenching 1095 in canola you need to make sure the canola is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit so it cools the blade quick enough to get a hardened blade.

but even canola oil at lower then optimum temps will harden 1095 higher then 40rc. If you are in question of you oil then water quench a blade from 1500° and see what you get.

 

[JTknives]

And if all else fails, send me a blade and I will run it through my oven and treat it proper and can tell you one way or another.

 

[Joshua Fisher]

I have tried high temps, nothing worked for me. The thing that gets me is this steel is touted as the end all be all steel for new knife makers. And all their steel does is make new guys question what thy are doing wrong. I would normally side with the steel and say yeah double check you temps, oil, soak exc. but, I have had this happen to quite a few of my customers Knives and so I know it’s not a process issue. If it has to be forged first then thy need to say something to let people know.

Do you still have your order number. If you can get me your/that info I will contact Their steel quality control guy and ask him what’s up.

I definitely agree that they should be transparent about their steel and what process needs to be followed but unfortunately I’ve heard from people I trust that they have no clue what state some of their material comes in. Ive switched to 8670 from Pops Knife Supply and haven’t had a single issue, and for beginners it has a wide range of temps where it will harden and is forgiving on what quench medium you are using. Their 8670 comes with a very fine grain and is basically ready to quench without having to thermal cycle unless you forge the blade.

 

[DevinT]

Joshua Fisher

I took you're advise, figured I had nothing to lose at this point but time. Took one blade to 1800 held 2 min and cooled. Repeated with 3 cycles at 1650, 1550 1450.

Re Heatreat at 1500 and quenched in canola oil( no parks yet) and the blade does not pass the file test it is softer now than before so I see no point in hardness testing the blade .

The frustration is starting to sit in. Guys on here have more success with a torch and a magnet than I'm having with an oven.

I would like to give you a call, please let me know how to get ahold of you.

Hoss

 

[Jax knives]

Also if you are quenching 1095 in canola you need to make sure the canola is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit so it cools the blade quick enough to get a hardened blade.

Joshua
yeah.im way beyond the decarb I took a chainsaw file and made a grove and a file actually gets bite. My oil was right at 120F and quenched at 1500 on the dot. I let my oven stabilize for an hour.( I tested at 1425 and achieved non magnetic )so my oven is fairly accurate.

 

[Joshua Fisher]

Joshua
yeah.im way beyond the decarb I took a chainsaw file and made a grove and a file actually gets bite. My oil was right at 120F and quenched at 1500 on the dot. I let my oven stabilize for an hour.( I tested at 1425 and achieved non magnetic )so my oven is fairly accurate.

I’d definitely take Hoss up on that phone call, he has a lot more practical experience and knowledge than most of us and may be able to help you out.

 

[Jax knives]

I have tried high temps, nothing worked for me. The thing that gets me is this steel is touted as the end all be all steel for new knife makers. And all their steel does is make new guys question what thy are doing wrong. I would normally side with the steel and say yeah double check you temps, oil, soak exc. but, I have had this happen to quite a few of my customers Knives and so I know it’s not a process issue. If it has to be forged first then thy need to say something to let people know.

Do you still have your order number. If you can get me your/that info I will contact Their steel quality control guy and ask him what’s up.

JT

I'll look through my email and see if I can come up with an order date/number.

Being a rookie never heat treated before I just dont feel comfortable pointing to a manufacture supplier.

I dont doubt what you have posted and it actually explains why I'm having a problem when it seem so cut/dry. I've had problems from the get go from deep pitted decarb to go ding out my blades don't test good.

 

[Jax knives]

I would like to give you a call, please let me know how to get ahold of you.

Hoss

417-489-3201 I'm home in the evening but I live in the sticks and cell signal sucks. If you can't get through in the evening anytime during the day should work.
thanks much

 

[Jax knives]

A quick little thank- you and shout out to all who have taken the time to help and offer advice .

update: Hoss has got me on some homework with some test coupons to get my oven dialed in and then walk me through the process to get to the source of my problem whatever it my be.