Heat treating

[IUBI]

A friend of mine has an oven and i was just wondering if i shuld do my own heat treating or if i should send it out to be heat treated, and if sending it out is really worth the money and time. I was also wondering...how hard is it to heat treat a blade correctly?

 

[UW Mitch]

I think heat treating is pretty tough. I've made one "knife" out of 0-1 steel, and used the kiln at the Mech. Engr. shop at school. I followed the directions pretty closely, but after it was hardened and tempered, I dropped it, and big deep scratches. I don't think the heat treat went well. Many very good makers send their blades out. I guess it depends though.

~Mitch

 

[tejas7]

It depends on what type of steel (stainless or carbon). If you have a good oven, you should try it yourself. There is no "magic" to it.

Carbon steels can be heat treated quite well with a torch and oil. Tempered in the kitchen oven.

Give heat treating a try. It is one of the funnest parts of knifemaking.