heat treating stainless

raylaconico

raylaconico

Joined
Jan 30, 2004
Messages
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I'm a new knifemaker. I've been heat treating O1 and 5160 at home. I want to start making stainless knives and I was wondering if there is a type of stainless steel that is simple to heat treat. Thanks.

-Ray Laconico
 
All the guys on here that really know (myself not included) their stuff, say that you can't do it. I guess you have to hold to high a temp consistently and for to long. I guess it is too finicky to do. I use Texas Knife currently...Good luck.
 
you can do it at home but setting it up can be costly computer controled kiln, heat treat foil, a dweller if your going to use liquid nitrogen quench plates maybe and i know i have to be missing lots of other things that i too will need i just ordered a kiln from Mr zowada friday so soon the fun will begain
 
What is your current method of heat treating? If you use a tourch or forge you will not be able to get good results. If you use an oven then you should be able to heat treat the common stainless blade steels.
 
I've heard (no personal experience so have your grains of salt ready) that 440C can be HTed with an oil quench. It's probably not optimal compared to the "right" way of doing it, and there's probably a good chance of warpage and breakage just like if you do an oil quench steel in water. But if you're willing to take the risks, 440C would be the one to try with.
 
Any steel that can be air quenched can be oil quenched in simple geometries, like blades. In fact, some of the manufacturers suggest an interrupted oil quench. e.g. Crucible for S30V and Uddeholm for D2 and A2.

It is important to soak at the hardening temperature to get the optimum results from the process. With care you can do it with a manual furnace if you have an accurate pyrometer and pay attention.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm heat treating using charcoal in a BBQ pit and a blowdryer to get it hot enough to non-magnetic. I quench in oil and use the kitchen oven to temper. I learned everything from here and from Bob Engnath's website. The reason why I asked this question is that I just read from www.trugrit.com that you can HT 440c and quench in oil. I wanted to know for sure and if anyone has done it. I've been wanting to make stainless knives but didn't feel like having to send out blades for HT. Thanks
 
As I recall, my very first post on this forum was about three years ago concerning heat treating ATS-34. I was wondering if I could do it properly in my camp open fire place. Your question and how you worded it is much more common sensical than mine was. No. You will not be able to do it well, without great luck, the way you have been doing the simpler steels. As stated above control in both temperatures (ploral) and time is essential. Also I would advise cryogenically treating complex alloys. Plan on about $1500 or in that neighborhood.

RL
 
The simple answer is NO.With time,experience,and a couple of thousand in the equipment,you could learn to do it yourself.But for $10-15 a blade you can have it done right,with cryo to boot.Send it out to the pros.
 
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