So i forged my 1st knife the other day form a nicholson file, did the ht by heating the spine from the ricasso forward with a torch until the edge was evenly colored and just past non magnetic, and quenched in mineral oil preheated to 135F. I did this 3 times. Then I tempered at 450F for 2 hrs, air cooled to 70F then froze to -10F and tempered again at 450F for 2hrs, and air cooled again. I know that this is not the recomended way to ht and temper 1095. I put a shaving edge on it with a medium grit stone, and cut a yellow pine 2x4 twice, and it still shaved, but then I decided to try and polish the edge with a fine stone and a machinists diamond rubber strop. Now i keep getting these little nicks towards the tip. I have looked at it with a 5x jewlers loup and am unable to see them, but when i drag my thumb-nail along the edge, i can feel them, there are 2 that i can feel. I have not put scales on it yet, and my grind lines leave much to be desired but its just a practice blade, and would like any ideas that may help me get better.
P.S. I have a 4"x36" belt sander/grinder with a 10" disk on the side, a chainsaw sharpening file, an acetylene torch, a 2lb sledge hammer, an 8oz ball peen hammer, a 6" wilton bench vise, and a set of fractional cobalt bits. those compliment my homemade propane forge built with firebrick for a wood stove, and my toaster oven.
P.S. I have a 4"x36" belt sander/grinder with a 10" disk on the side, a chainsaw sharpening file, an acetylene torch, a 2lb sledge hammer, an 8oz ball peen hammer, a 6" wilton bench vise, and a set of fractional cobalt bits. those compliment my homemade propane forge built with firebrick for a wood stove, and my toaster oven.
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