Myths of Knifemaking

tryppyr

tryppyr

Joined
Feb 5, 2010
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In a couple of threads I've noticed a few odd references to certain myths associated with various aspects of knifemaking. It occurs to me that I haven't seen a single thread in which the myths are collected and debunked. So this is such a thread.

The two that immediately spring to mind are:

* Edge Packing... the notion that by pounding on a piece of steel you can squeeze atoms closer together and make the steel more dense

* Carbon transfer... the notion that when dirty motor oil is used as a quenchant carbon molecules migrate from the oil to the steel

I'm sure there are lots of other myths. Let's air them out here so our members won't embarass themselves by believing them. :)
 
I had a high school civics teacher who liked to wander from the point. He told us lots of stories about his experiences during the Hitler war.

He explained that the best swords were tempered by shoving them through a slave’s body.
 
-A forged knife is better then a stock removal knife

- Damascus steel is better for a blade then modern mono-steel
 
A few weeks ago at a forging demo held at an Irish Festival in Dallas I overheard (hard not given that it was being yelled) that mood of the blade smith could transfer negative energy into the blade and a smith must strive to be nearly emotionless when forging to avoid it. His helper then went to speak about Damascus and how blade packing will work but only in true Wootz blades do the carbon nano-tubes. I'm taking my digi-camcorder next year, you guys would get a kick out of their spiel. (faces blurred to protect the less than educated of course.)
 
* Cold forging refines steel grain structure... The notion that cold forging can reduce grain size, in and of itself. This is similar to "edge packing" without the density claims. Cold forging creates disclocations that upon recrystalization can provide neucleation points for new grain, so in some respect, it is true... but not without recrystalization. The same efffect can be accomplished with thermal cycling alone, without the risk of internal fractures. The Japanese-style smiths constantly refer to this process. Maybe they really know what is happening and just explain it improperly, I don't know... it doesn't seem to be a problem if done properly but unless you understand what is really happening, it can work against you.

* Throwing your carbon steel knife in the freezer does anything at all... Nope... nuff said.
 
This from a past thread

Kevin R. Cashen said:
Alberto V05 moisturizing conditioner or Murphy's oil soap works like magic with most 10XX series steels, and the Murphy's can be used for martempering when mixed with a a little water. :thumbup: They are at your local store while quench oils are really hard to get if you don't have a telephone.
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lets just say not everyone had the sarcasm meter turned on. :D
 
A waterjet machine can make a knife.

Tool steels or steels with letters in the name are all stainless.
 
I have heard it stated that making your own knives is cheaper than purchasing them, yet with all the money I see you guys spend on tools I think that this is incorrect. :)
 
DerekH said:
I have heard it stated that making your own knives is cheaper than purchasing them, yet with all the money I see you guys spend on tools I think that this is incorrect. :)
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Where were you all those years ago when that very notion got me started with this vice... um.... hobby? The way I figure it, is that if I sell a knife a week for the next 10 years I might break even. :D
 
Steel type (pick one) is just plain better than steel type (pick another one).
 
You can make knives and have a full head of hair.

If you are not pulling them out you are not trying hard enough. ;)
 
That working on a knife for 20 hours means that the knife should cost $400. I am honestly amazed at how much people charge for knives then complain when they don't sell. Many will blame it on the bad economy but really their knives are overpriced..
 
Patrice Lemée;11987601 said:
You can make knives and have a full head of hair.

If you are not pulling them out you are not trying hard enough. ;)
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Guess I should stick to my sloooooow style then, I've noticed it getting a bit thin on top, here I thought it was just age and stress.

Na, I'll just rock the skullett.


"Knife making is easy- just take some steel and sharpen it!"
Which is usually when I describe the difference between a knife, and a prison shank.
 
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