Is there any reason to heat treat bolsters made from 416 stainless steel?

[LARRYZ10]

416 Stainless bar stock is relatively soft and has good machinability but does not seem to be very corrosion resistant. Does heat treating it after shaping do anything for the guard or bolsters that is beneficial? I make my knives by stock reduction so I know very little about heat treat. Should I heat treat it or leave it alone? Thanks , Larry

 

[S.Alexander]

It becomes more corrosion resistant when hardened. There's a bunch of info in the link.

http://www.northamericanstainless.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Grade-416.pdf