I need a favor.

Triforge

Triforge

Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
543
I made a rookie mistake of not drilling holes in my knife before sending it out for HT. Unfortunately, my drill is not powerful enough to bore holes in it now for handles. Could I possibly send it out to someone with a powerful drill press for this?
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this is the blade. it's about 52 Rockwell
 
What you need is not a more powerful drill press. Power is not the issue, a bit can only take so much and I assume that your bit just dulled quickly and/or lost its temper trying to drill through that relatively hard 440C. Also, why is the blade at 52 Rc? That's pretty low for a razor, or any knife at that. Unless you mean the tang has been tempered softer than the blade?

I'd suggest tryiing to drill it with a carbide bit. You'll have to run it fast, with everything clamped and as solid as possible, and a pretty light feed rate, to avoid breaking your bit. Or, change your handle plans to roughing up the tang sides and gluing a drilled handle block on, no pins.

This is the sort of mistake that teaches you quickly- always drill before full hardening a stainless blade.
 
I didn't know what type of costs you had into it. I guess even someone sent you a piece of steel, with your time and HT costs involved it would be counterproductive to start over.
 
PM me if you can. Or follow my sig and email me. You mark it (or those divots are fine...) and I'll get it drilled for you if you don't have access to or want to buy a carbide bit... I'll take care of return shipping too.

Having a few carbide bits around never hurt either if you are considering the purchase of one...

-Eric
 
Make sure the angle between the steel and carbide bit is 90 degrees! And check again, the bit will shatter if not
 
You might try a carbide tipped masonry bit. I've had great success with them in the past for hardened knife blanks. Just keep in mind that the hole will likely end up a few thousandths wider than the actual stated drill size.

One of the main advantages, however, is that you're only paying $5 for a bit instead of $20+.
 
+1 on the carbide masonry bit...shouldnt be a problem at all especially since it is RC 52
 
Find a local machine shop and pay them the $5 to drill a hole. Make sure to tell them it's hardened as they would be upset if they dull a bit on it.
 
Why couldn't you set the edge in water and temper out the tang with an LP torch? Heat it to grey a few times... bingo.
 
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