Ideal hardness for CPM 3V?

Thanks Phil, I had the same conversation with crucible today, we discussed duplex grain and it is of minor concern and maybe be desireble to a point ( think about D2 !) , could be the micro edge benifits from this in slice cutting. One more reason to stick with it. I think I am going to break down & buy a hardness testor, any sugestion. I am going to check MCS right now.

Thank You Leon Pugh
 
Mete has altered my opinion on soak times. I used to be VERY particular about soak time. I believe that prejudice of mine came from experimenting with simple carbons, which I still am convinced I get better results with particular and not too long soak times. On complex steels I now lean more heavily in my soak periods. Austinitising temperature must be adhered to strictly. Over temperature will hurt. If available, always cryo the complex steels and do so immediately after quench and acheiving room temperature or immediatley after snap temper. I prefer snap temper prior to cryo (only because of piece of mind).

rlinger
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leon.pugh said:
Thanks Phil, I had the same conversation with crucible today, we discussed duplex grain and it is of minor concern and maybe be desireble to a point ( think about D2 !) , could be the micro edge benifits from this in slice cutting. One more reason to stick with it. I think I am going to break down & buy a hardness testor, any sugestion. I am going to check MCS right now.

Thank You Leon Pugh
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A large grain doesn't create a toothy edge, large carbide does that. There is no advantage I can think of for a duplex grain.
 
There has been a lot of discussion on hardness testers here. If you do a search you will get a lot of opinions and advice. I have an older original Wilson machine that I bought reconditioned. It is excellent for what I do. The off shore machines work ok, but the test blocks furnished with them may or may not be calibrated to the standard. The best thing to do is cross check with someone who has a known standard block furnished by Wilson. Trying to heat treat without a tester is like trying to drive in the dark without head lights. You will be very happy you have the tester. PHIL
 
I don't know much about 3V, but it is interesting that Fehrman runs theirs at 57-59 instead of higher. Too bad Paul Boss wasn't a moderator around here lol.
 
Starrett also sells test a wide variety of test blocks. They run about $65 from my local Starrett dealer.
 
VERY interesting discussion!

I personally am not set up to heat treat my own knives at the present time and us Paul Bos exclusively for my air hardening steels...have not been disappointed. This may be why I have not been in a big hurry to do my own HT!!

I do agree with Phil Wilson that you need a Rockwell Tester if you are going to be doing your own HT!!! I have a Wilson RC tester that I need to get set up!!

That said I am having Paul HT my CPM-3V to RC-62 in my utility/hunters/defensive knives!! At this RC they are close to TWICE as wear resistant, and tough as D-2 at RC-60!!! WOW!

My customers are also reporting that they are finding the 3V blades easier to sharpen than the D-2/S30V at RC-60.

Here is a link to the Crucible Selector page on CPM 3V. Take a look it is amazing stuff!

http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/cpm3vt.html

Tom
 
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