Hey guys, been doing a ton of research on knife making again and think I'm ready to actually give it a go. i have several designs I'd like to try to make, and figured I'd go the stock removal method as it's a process I'm more familiar with. the designs all fit inside of 2x11" and generally have 5" handles and 6" blades.
My first question (series haha) is, how much forge do I need to heat treat a 3/16-1/4"x2"x6" blade? Can I get by with a two brick forge and a benzo torch? Would also eventually like to try forging, would it be realistic to make an (very) inexpensive first forge that could handle both? Would love some recommendations here on approximate size and materials.
The second question is, for a larger hunting knife like the ones i plan on making, what steel would you recommend for a backyard heat treat? I was going to use 1084 and heat treat just with a torch in open air, but decided the blades I wanted to make were too big for that. Ideally I wanted to use 5160, as it seems a good choice for a heavy use knife, especially a larger one. Can I get more out of 5160 with simple heat treating methods in this application, or should I stick with the 1084 for ease of heat treating?
Thanks and glad to now be a part of the forum!
My first question (series haha) is, how much forge do I need to heat treat a 3/16-1/4"x2"x6" blade? Can I get by with a two brick forge and a benzo torch? Would also eventually like to try forging, would it be realistic to make an (very) inexpensive first forge that could handle both? Would love some recommendations here on approximate size and materials.
The second question is, for a larger hunting knife like the ones i plan on making, what steel would you recommend for a backyard heat treat? I was going to use 1084 and heat treat just with a torch in open air, but decided the blades I wanted to make were too big for that. Ideally I wanted to use 5160, as it seems a good choice for a heavy use knife, especially a larger one. Can I get more out of 5160 with simple heat treating methods in this application, or should I stick with the 1084 for ease of heat treating?
Thanks and glad to now be a part of the forum!
