Hot Steel

E

Evolute

Joined
Mar 19, 2001
Messages
4,769
Have you ever touched the door of a black-painted car on a hot Summer day, and recoiled in pain. I bet it can get up over 150 degrees Farenheit.

If I was laying on some rocks in the desert sun on a really hot day (occasionally, I find this kind of "sauna" relaxing for short periods), I bet that black coated INFI at my side could get close to 200 degrees. I can imagine a lot of other scenarios which could heat my knife even hotter: stirring a pot of boiling pasta, using the knife like a spit to roast some game over an open flame, shaping hot kydex to the blade, etc.

Before I risk doing any such things, I'd like to know how hot I can heat my INFI cutlery without messing up the temper. Jerry (or anyone else), could you answer this for me?

Thanks.
 
In order to effect the temper you need to heat the blade above the point at which it was tempered. About the lowest that this gets is 300 - 400F, which is for low allow steels. The only concern I would have with any of the above, is poking around open flame. No, passing a knife through a flame isn't going to do anything, but leaving it exposed is likely to cause it harm. You can tell that you have effected the temper as the blade color will turn, as well of course it will be softer.

-Cliff
 
I found this quote by Jerry in an earlier post, thought it might help.
"As for INFI and temperature extremes, it is amazing. INFI is tempered at nearly 950 degrees. It does not begin to lose any significant hardness until it is held above 1050 degrees for a considerable amount of time. I have to believe that it would need to be extremely mishandled in order to do any noticeable damage.

Most of the simpler high carbon steels (of which INFI is NOT a member) can be drawn down in temper in a matter of seconds if the temperature hits above 500 - 800 degrees. Along the thin edge of a knife, a buffer or dremel can produce this level of heat and can cause serious damage if not executed by a professional. Always check the grade of steel and heat-treat specs. before assassinating it with the dremel tool Uncle Leo gave you for Christmas. Always keep the steel cool to the touch and you should be fine.

As far as INFI is concerned, care for and feed it like a friend. If the blade does get warm pour beer over it to cool it down. Stories out of Africa indicate that “Beer Tempering” only increases the performance of the steel. Is this true? I question nothing I hear from our friends in Africa.

Jerry Busse"

Hope this helps :D:D
 
I toasted some marshmallows with my Satin Jack
CG a couple of times and didn't notice any
difference. :D
 
Thanks, Cliff, Eric, and Bravado.

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"INFI is tempered at nearly 950 degrees. It does not begin to lose any significant hardness until it is held above 1050 degrees for a considerable amount of time."

Wow! It sounds like yet another way that INFI provides an extraordinary margin of safety to use my knives with confidence.

I am really impressed.

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In case I ever get a hold of some Basic series knives, do we know whether that statement also applies to modified INFI?
 
INFI, it ain't your father's Oldsmobile and it ain't no ordinary blade steel.
 
It's good to know that INFI can "hack it" (I still would like to know specifically about temepratures and modified INFI). How good is the micarta at handling the heat? And the tubular rivets?
 
I have soaked several Micarta handles in gas and lit them on fire. The gas burns out in a flash and does nothing to the Micarta except make it warm. I would not do this to the Busse as there is metal exposed in the tang, but I don't think the flame would last long enough to heat it up if you did, especially considering the very high temper used.

-Cliff
 
If you really want to know what it can take, send it to me. We have an exothermic cutting torch at work-9000 degrees F or so. Be glad to test her out for you:D ;)
 
I have soaked several Micarta handles in gas and lit them on fire.
Click to expand...
Cliff, I think you'd be fun to hang out with. It might not be safe, but it wouldn't be boring!!! :) ( I'd leave all MY toys at home though;) )
 
Cliff just gave me an idea for the ultimate fighting knife. Douse your Busse's blade with gasoline and light it. A flaming Battle Mistress! Practically the Angel of Death sword.
 
Why dump gas on it, have some butane tanks built into the handle!!! What would they call that variant anyways???
 
Originally posted by truck
What would they call that variant anyways???
Click to expand...

Call it 777 or Triple Seven, in order to keep with the Busse naming requirements.
 
Let's see. . . strap on oxy-acetylene tanks. . . trigger lighter in front of choil. . . . Whoa!. . . Talk about "flickin' your Bic"!:eek: :eek: :cool: ;)
 
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