Making sure I'm doing this correctly

[Samuel Q]

Hi, I'm new here, though have lurked and scanned threads.

I'm about to start working on my first knife, having done a couple practices on some mild steel. I'm just making sure I understand everything correctly, so I don't waste a good piece of steel (I'll be using 5160 steel, and doing stock removal).

Step 1: Cut out rough shape, grind rough bevel with a metal file.
Step 2: Normalize by heating to critical temperature and then letting air cool
Step 3: Repeat normalizing 3x
Step 4: heat to critical temperature
Step 5: Quench tip first in canola oil or motor oil or some type of oil
Step 6: Pre heat oven to 350
Step 7: leave blade in 350F oven for 2 hours
Step 8: Make a handle

Did I get everything right?

Also, is 13.75 inches small enough to heat with a propane torch? Or do I have to use a charcoal grill (I don't have a forge)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

First, welcome to Bladeforums.

As to the steps given - Just about right:
Remove the ..."or motor oil or some type of oil " and stick with canola.
Raise the oven temp to 400F. Repeat the temper again after cooling to room temperature.

You didn't tell us the steel type, blade shape and size, or method of HT, which we really need to know if any advise is to be useful.
Also, filling out your profile will be a good thing.

I missed the torch part. As Xander pointed out, a propane torch is too small for such a big blade. Can it be done with a good torch...... probably...should it be done, no.

 

[fast14riot]

Make sure you drill your holes for handle before heat treat. I think a 14" knife is too big for a propane torch, but I know some makers use oxygen/acetelyne torches to heat treat. For roughly 25-30 dollars you can make a two brick forge to do your heat treat, and use your propane torch with it.

Fill out your profile with city, state or counry and possibly there might be a knifemaker near by that can help you out.

I've never used 5160, but is normalizing necesary for stock removal? Also is it known to be 5160 you purchased or is it an old car spring?


Good luck and post pictures when your done!


-Xander

 

[mgysgthath]

One thing I notice that nobody mentioned, will a BBQ (without an air source) get hot enough to reach critical?

 

[Samuel Q]

@bladsmth it's 5160 steel. The knife is leaf bladed (13.75 inches as I said above). I'm not entirely certain what you mean by method of HT, but I'm doing oil quenching, if that's what you mean.

@fast14riot I'm purchasing the 5160 from here http://stores.njsteelbaron.com/-str...g/Detail.bok?xcategory=High Carbon Steel:5160.

I don't know if normalizing is necessary, but I figured it wouldn't hurt. Also, I looked at the concept of a two brick forge, and correct me if I'm wrong, a barbecue would work if I ran a torch into to it, right? It seems like the basic idea is just having something to keep the heat from escaping.

Oh, and I filled out my location on my profile. I'm in Austin, Texas.