Help reading my HT etch

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,145
Well, I have ht'ed 5 blades now. 2 have an awsome, even etch when I use the etch to read the HT.

3 have "spotty" or lizard like etch marks.

Did I get the heat too hot or....I am suspecting not long enough at the right temperature?

Who can tell me what exactly I am looking for when I read the etch to test my HT results?

I am using 0-1 steel.....

Thanks guys.
 
Hi Mark,

The blades are almost ground to final thickness. And I do mean almost......well, yes. These to be safe and not chip out are final thickness.

What do you suggest?
 
how would I prevent the decarb from hapening?
 
The raeson I was asking if at final thickness is that the possible decard could be ground off and re-etched to check the hamon. They could be okay.
 
When i do my heat treatment , i run my forge just above the critical temp for the particular steel. I use very dim light and check for non magnetic frequently. Since I've started doing this I get very little scale.
 
I was surprised there wasn't more scale....

I'll try to sand with 220 for a while by hand and then to 400 and reetch this afternoon.

Thanks ol' freind.

Hows the arm?
 
If you run your forge with a reducing atmosphere that will also help with the decarb and scale.
 
Tai Goo reccomends putting a piece of wood in the forge (I'm assuming you're using gas) to make it reducing. The extra O2 gets used up in burning the wood and doesn't get to the steel.
 
I am using the O/A torch to HT at this point. How can I minimise the decarb with this process?
 
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