Heat treating D2

[Bryant Hollinger]

I just got some D2 stock in the mail. Gonna makesome knive with it of course and was wandering about the heat treat. The books say to heat to 1800-1875 F and hold for 20 min. Air cool to harden and temper at 500 F for Rc 60.

I assume that it will become nonmagnetic around 1800 or so. Everything I have read says DO NOT Heat over 1875 F. My Problem is that I only have a charcoal forge and I have no idea what temp it is at.

I can check with a magnet and tell if it is over the critical temp. but I dont know how much it is over. If I have to hold the blade at High tem. for 20 min. I am scared that it will get too hot.

Any Suggestions?



P.S.

I made this post on another site but just joined hear and thought that I you ask yall.

Looks like the best bet is to try a diff. steel or send the D2 off to heat treat.

Maybe one day Ill get an knife oven and solve this problem. I looks to me like D2 is a great steel for hardworking hunting knives like I hope to build. I have made 4 knives so far and am have alot of fun learning. 2 out of files, 1 out of saw blade and one out of 01. not real sure if the HT is as good as it could be on any of them but I seem to like the 01 best.

Any recomindions on a good, easy to HT steel for a someone just starting?

Thanks

Bryant

 

[fitzo]

Bryant, welcome to Shoptalk!

Non-magnetic (the "Curie point" of iron, approx 1413*F) is not the same temp as "critical". D2 will become non-magnetic far below the proper austenizing temp.

A steel like D2 is not really meant for heat treating in a coal forge, since you can't measure the temperature accurately or hold it precisely for the required time. You would do best to send those out for heat treat until you have a furnace.

For a new knifemaker with simple equipment and quenchants, plain high carbon steel in the 1074/1075/1080 series would probably give you the best opportunity for maximizing the efficacy of the heat treatment. With those, the proper temp is only barely above non-magnetic and do not need a long hold time. They make an excellent blade when heat treated properly.

 

[galadduin]

I made some knives from D2 and HT at my forge 4-5 years ago, but none of them had a good results. You wont get the best of that steel unless you have a temp controlled oven. I'd stick to 10XX steels if you HT them your self. However I find non-air hardening steels much more tricky because of the cooling rates...

 

[James_Terrio]

Welcome to BF! The folks around here are a great group.

Looks like the best bet is to try a diff. steel or send the D2 off to heat treat.
Maybe one day I'll get a knife oven and solve this problem. It looks to me like D2 is a great steel for hardworking hunting knives like I hope to build.
Bryant

Bryant, you and I are on much the same page. HT in my basement shop is not really an option for me right now. I'm going to send my first D2 projects out for HT. I did a real brief search and it's looking pretty cost effective. Even a big name like Paul Bos. Plus, then I can say with confidence that the HT was done right by a respected professional. I've noticed in magazines and books sometimes where both the maker's name and the HT'er's name/shop are proudly etched on the blade.

Like you, I want to buy a good oven and learn to do it myself, but right now I have enough stuff to buy and learn... mostly learn.

 

[Bryant Hollinger]

Thanks guys,

I now understand the diff. between nonmagnetic and austenizing temp.
Think ill make the d2 blade and send them off.

Also will get some simple carbon steel in the 10xx series.

does any one have any experiece with a "Good Kiln" knive oven. Thats the brand name. Seem to be less than the others. Hope this does not violate the rules!

 

[J-siah]

Thanks guys,

I now understand the diff. between nonmagnetic and austenizing temp.
Think ill make the d2 blade and send them off.

Also will get some simple carbon steel in the 10xx series.

does any one have any experiece with a "Good Kiln" knive oven. Thats the brand name. Seem to be less than the others. Hope this does not violate the rules!

if you are going to send them out I would recommend Paul Bos. he does some of the best Ht'ing in the business.

-Josiah