Mystery steel economy

[butcher_block]

The Newbie wishing to use Unknown steels and wants some help is more than welcome to email me or call me on the phone for all the help I am possiably capable of giving them.If you use known steel and have a question the same goes for you.I dont care if ya forge or grind.We all make knives and use many different methodes to do this...

How about this break down:
Unknown steel--quench by eye--temper by eye------Least chance of success
Unknown steel--quench with magnet as quide--temper in a kitchen type oven----little better chance for success
Known steel--quench with magnet guide--temper in kitchen type oven-------a little bit of a greater chance for success
Known steel--controlled electric HT oven for quench--controlled electric HT oven for temper------Much greater chance for success
Known steel--salt pot for quench--salt pot for temper--almost the best chance of success
Known steel--send off for Proffessional heat treat--------The greatest chance of success



I believe that if we tell a few new guys that they cant use something it will only fuel there fire to prove us wrong.I believe the industry is just waiting for the next Bill Moran or Bob Loveless to concer some new aspect of knifemaking that makes everybodys head turn the first time they show up somewhere with it.

this is the stuff that makes me respect the makers on this forum
well said

 

[C L Wilkins]

C L I for one would love that as a test for my JS or MS blades,puts another variable in the making of a JS or MS shows that the smith is a master of steel not just one kind steel.Damascus can all be made from the same 2 steels and come out with a different carbon contenet by different makers.Just variables that happen when forging.

Bruce,
Sure, if I get to pick the steel! LOL! Where the problem lies with an unknown steel is you may end up with 4130 or F5. Maybe, and I mean a big maybe a sort of "usable knife" can be made from it but it won't hold an edge for very long. Not much of a quality knife with all the hours put into it.

All I am saying is "know whatcha got a'holt of". Some folks that aren't experienced in looking for the right steel may end up with an unpleasant surprise.

Craig

 

[Bruce Evans]

Craig,I think the Master should pick the steel,only they should have a decent idea if the steel is workable,Not real fair to hand a person a piece of steel you know wont work as a test.But when learning on your own you will end up running across something that isnt workable and then you know not to grab that piece of steel again ....

Bruce

The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!!!!!!!