I know that one of the key elements in determening the resilience and performance of a blade is the heat treatment. How can I be sure my blade has been subjected to the right heat-treatment. Since I don't suppose this is noticeable for a common user (unless if you notice after some time how the edge keeps up...) so are there any brands I can blindly trust for a proper heat-treatment.
Are there certain steel types that benefit more than others from the right heat-treatment? Is a quality treatment always translated in the price (this is no object, I want superb quality and I'm willing to pay for it. Is there a big difference as to the appropriate treatment of the different steel types or is the treatment in all cases more or less the same
In short: does heat-treatment only imply advantages or does it also compromise blade quality in any way. I'd like also ways to verify wether a particular blade is appropiotly treated (with regard of the kind of steel). Are there any brands that are known for their excellent heat-treatments. And if I take ONE PARTICULAR blade of A SUPPOSEDLY GOOD BRAND, how can I be sure that this particular knife does not hide manufactering errors. i mean, you don't really have anything to compare it to, that lack of a standard makes it hard to find out whether the manufacterer has done a quality job.
I'm also looking for the con's of heat-treatment, if there are any. When should the treatment be avoided (for example: does any type of steel "accept" the treatment? And, once again, wich brands/models are reliable for a thorough finish, also in the aspects that are harder to note like the much forgotten heat-treatment. In other words, wich brand is serious of delivering the best quality possible (heat treatment seems an asset that does not always get the attention it is required to...).
Anything regarding heat-treatment or other traits that make up the quality of a blade AND that are not immediatly perceivable. I want to be able to soundly judge a knife, not only based on what I can see... I want also considder the hidden traits of a blade.
I'm sure many forum-users will learn something from the reactions to this thread
Are there certain steel types that benefit more than others from the right heat-treatment? Is a quality treatment always translated in the price (this is no object, I want superb quality and I'm willing to pay for it. Is there a big difference as to the appropriate treatment of the different steel types or is the treatment in all cases more or less the same
In short: does heat-treatment only imply advantages or does it also compromise blade quality in any way. I'd like also ways to verify wether a particular blade is appropiotly treated (with regard of the kind of steel). Are there any brands that are known for their excellent heat-treatments. And if I take ONE PARTICULAR blade of A SUPPOSEDLY GOOD BRAND, how can I be sure that this particular knife does not hide manufactering errors. i mean, you don't really have anything to compare it to, that lack of a standard makes it hard to find out whether the manufacterer has done a quality job.
I'm also looking for the con's of heat-treatment, if there are any. When should the treatment be avoided (for example: does any type of steel "accept" the treatment? And, once again, wich brands/models are reliable for a thorough finish, also in the aspects that are harder to note like the much forgotten heat-treatment. In other words, wich brand is serious of delivering the best quality possible (heat treatment seems an asset that does not always get the attention it is required to...).
Anything regarding heat-treatment or other traits that make up the quality of a blade AND that are not immediatly perceivable. I want to be able to soundly judge a knife, not only based on what I can see... I want also considder the hidden traits of a blade.
I'm sure many forum-users will learn something from the reactions to this thread