Heat Treating ATS-34??

Originally posted by HammerFall
Is it possible to home heat treat ATS-34? and if so does anyone have any good guidlines?thanks again.
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Unless you can sustain ACCURATE temperatures in the 1850-1950 range, and hold it there for 'X' amount of time, without ANY fluctuation, you(and your customer)would be better served by sending it to a pro.

TKS will do single blade lots.
http://www.texasknife.com/

Get the cryogenic treatment as well.:)
 
It is quite possible to do it at home provided, as Mike suggests, you have the equipment needed for high alloy steels. Ovens for under 1000 bucks that can be used for this are available and some of us here have and use them. In addition, steels that require high heat treating temperatures and relatively long soak times should be atmosphere controlled to keep from pitting or scaling too deeply. I have used 2000 degree foil for this with, so far, great result. I believe most professional heat treaters purge the oven of oxygen with an inert gas.

And, yes, alway go for the cryogenic treatment where available.

RL
 
HammerHead my Thermocouple isn't rate to hold that temp. So don't even think about doing it here. We could do it if you want to spend $75 on a Thermocoupling.:eek: :eek: :eek:
 
Everyone loves Paul B, however his prices are a bit more than TKS and his minimum order is $50? For a single blade is TKS a good place to get ATS 34 done?
 
D'Holder also heat treats stainless blades at a reasonable price. His contact info is on the K&G Supply site.
 
Originally posted by HammerFall
440c it is..... just a little knife for a friend. not worth the trouble thanks anyway gentlemen.... and george
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Just to put to rest the idea that 440C is some junk steel, not needing good heat treatment, look here.
http://www.admiralsteel.com/reference/sstltech.html

440C needs all the care that any high alloy stainless steel does, because it is.
Gettin it cherry red and droppin it in the ol tranny fluid will not give you a good blade.

Improper heat treating is the MAIN reason that stainless steel got a reputation for not holding an edge, and breaking easily.:mad:

I would suggest some carbon steel like O1, 1095, etc.
 
I agree, Mike. Remember when 440C was the hot stuff just like S30V is right now? Everyone just HAD to have a knife out of 440C. It's still an excellent steel for knifemaking.
 
i'm not saying anything bad about 440c, i like it. i only said i'd go with it because i can heat treat it at the shop. its a nice steel if you take the time to HT it right. thanks aofr the info gentlemen
 
If you can HT 440C "at the shop", I'd think you could do ATS 34?
 
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