Tried out some of Sandviks' 13C26 on four slipjoints this weekend. I cut them out, bored them, rough fit them all, cut nicks, stamped them, and put them in for heat treat. After HTing the springs I tried one out. Good spring action but it tends to gall after 10-15 repititions of opening and closing. Normally my springs in 52100, D2, and CPM 154 all tend to get better with repititions.....not this stuff. I did use the same geometry with the springs and blades. Perhaps the springs are a bit soft? I tempered two hrs each at 1075, 1050, 1025. I think that they are too soft. What is anyone else's opinion on this and does anyone else use 13C26 for springs? I have never had this before. It is funny because it tends to get worse rather than better with working it. Thanks.
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- Thread starter John L
- Start date
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- Oct 3, 2002
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- 12,297
John, did ya use oil? 
Seriously, I think you're right, sounds like springs are too soft. I don't use any stainless but have heard very good stuff about Sandvik. PJ Tomes uses a lot of it, I had one of his lockbacks for a while and really liked it.
Seriously, I think you're right, sounds like springs are too soft. I don't use any stainless but have heard very good stuff about Sandvik. PJ Tomes uses a lot of it, I had one of his lockbacks for a while and really liked it.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
I'll be right down, John. With the hammer
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
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- 2,701
John,
Not that this matters, but I looked up the data sheet from Sandvick for 13C26 and it did not list a temper heat for a hardness in the 48 RC range. Do you have any way of Rockwell testing the springs? If not send one up and I will be happy to do it for you , and return it.
As far as galling goes, how much tension do you like on your springs? You may have to drop back a bit, and go for a softer "walk and talk" if everything else is equal. Are they cam end or half stop tangs? If half stop, try a bit more radius on the corners? That may eliminate the galling also.
Ken
Not that this matters, but I looked up the data sheet from Sandvick for 13C26 and it did not list a temper heat for a hardness in the 48 RC range. Do you have any way of Rockwell testing the springs? If not send one up and I will be happy to do it for you , and return it.
As far as galling goes, how much tension do you like on your springs? You may have to drop back a bit, and go for a softer "walk and talk" if everything else is equal. Are they cam end or half stop tangs? If half stop, try a bit more radius on the corners? That may eliminate the galling also.
Ken
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Hi Ken: Thanks for the offer. I like a pretty stiff spring, but I did back off on these and they still galled. Yes...Sandvik does not show a possible R48 but a couple of people on this board gave me the temps for this and I just tried them. They do have half stops and I eased the corners pretty good after failing the first time....not much change. I did add a bit of powdered graphite to the oil and this helped a lot...don't really know why. After I opened and closed about 50 times or so, cleaned off oil and graphite...they worked well. Hmmmm..It's like they needed a long breakin time for whatever reason. I still think they were a bit soft. When I return from Mexcio I might take you up on the testing. Thanks again very much.
John Lloyd
John Lloyd
I had some given to me at the Blade Show a couple of years ago and I was NOT impressed with it at all in a couple of knives I made for a guy. I ended up giving him two more to replace them....rust spots, would not hold an edge, etc. It was some sorry stuff. I later read an article in Blade that mentioned problems they were having with 13C26....
Good luck.
Good luck.