How Do Swordmakers Temper Their Blades?

I very much appreciate any and all suggestions, as when I first posted this topic I was clueless. Sam's weed burner method seems to be a method quite a few swordmakers use. AVigil's suggestion is based on his experiences, and I don't discount his idea at all. But, I can't seem to get past the idea of making my own electric controlled oven. After some time on the internet, I realized quite a few people have made shop electric ovens, there's all kinds of plan out there, and it's simply not that hard or expensive to do. They are also quite safe and just as controllable as your kitchen oven. So, since I already have a weed burner and tons of pipe laying around, I'll use that, and if I make the electric oven (my preference) all the better. Again, my sincere thanks to all who responded.
 
AVigil said:
I have been following this thread on how to temper a sword. Now I don't want to talk out of turn because I have not made a sword, but what I have made is a very long oven to to heat treat bamboo fly rod blanks with.

I use a Milwaukee variable heat gun that ranges from 140*-1000*. I use digital thermometers place along the length of oven to measure the temperature and hitting 400* and maintaining it is not that hard to do once you get to know your oven. Wrapping the oven with some Kaowool help a lot to keep temps consistent.

Here is a webpage that shows an example of one. Maybe this will work for some of you guys. The cost is not that much depending on what heat gun you have. Take a look and see if it might work for you.

http://www.fneunemann.com/fpwot/index.php?id=45
Click to expand...

Let me apologize for this post.

I have been contacted by a moderator who told me " If you don't make swords, and have never made the tempering oven you are telling people is a great idea, you are just talking out you a$$. "

I did not post this implying it was a "Great" idea. I simply thought it might work and be worth a try.
For the record I have built a hot airgun oven and ran it at temperature of 325 for 2 hours before just fine.

So again I apologize if anyone got the wrong impression from my post.
 
AVigil said:
Let me apologize for this post.

I have been contacted by a moderator who told me " If you don't make swords, and have never made the tempering oven you are telling people is a great idea, you are just talking out you a$$. "

I did not post this implying it was a "Great" idea. I simply thought it might work and be worth a try.
For the record I have built a hot airgun oven and ran it at temperature of 325 for 2 hours before just fine.

So again I apologize if anyone got the wrong impression from my post.
Click to expand...

I got the right impression, looks like a viable idea for sure. I'd also like to try that gun for running the colors on a blade too would be nice and "softer" then a torch. I don't think you were talking out of your butt, but contributing good input to spur good conversation and think the message you recieved was unwarranted. You made it very clear you have never made a sword, not like you were talking like you had.
 
We're all big boys here, and smart enough to make our own decisions as to what might work or might not. There's absolutely no reason for anyone to walk away from this thread with hurt feelings. As far as I'm concerned, the more input the better, and we'll sort out what's useful.
 
I apologize. I should have just let it be. My PM comment was that the OP question was addressed to swordmakers. I should have been more discrete in my PM.
I'll leave this discussion to you chaps.

My words were not the best choice, and again, I am sorry for blasting AVigil so hard.
 
David just informed me of this thread... great stuff.

I'm just glad to see that I'm not the only one with swords sticking out of their kitchen ovens!

Good ideas here... thanks for letting me know David.

Remember folks... if you are unsure of your tempering method: testing reveals much. ;)
 
There's a lot of good mods at this site, Stacy, but your'e one of the best, and certainly the hardest working and most helpful. You also one of the few who would apologize as you did.

Now, a question. I heat treat by doing a vertical plunge into 140 degree oil (canola for all but W2 and a few other steels), so if I do my quench, bring the blade out and then start heating the same oil, in the very same quench tube, up to 425 degrees, will I be able to keep repeating this from blade to blade, or will this cycle ruin the oil much quicker? Also, does it matter if I place the blade tip up or down as it's tempered via the weed burner method?

No problem, Scott. Have you chopped anything yet with your broadsword?
 
Be very careful of the flash point of any oil you are considering heating up to 425 degrees. Be
many times that careful if you're using an open flame to heat it.
 
Dan, I agree. But many deep fat fryers get right up there too. And the open flame is playing on a steel tube, it's not touching oil. So with that said, do you still think there might be any problems? I honestly don't know, so I'm interested in your thoughts.
 
I never had a problem, haven't done hundreds of swords but never had it as a problem. I have had my oil up to 500F, just use common sense. Always amazes me at how nervous some makers get with a tank of hot oil, meanwhile they are regularly swingin around 2500F steel and throwing scale and sparks all over they're shop. Common sense can prevent atleast 50% of accidents hehe
 
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