Need some help getting a sword Heat Treated

Robert Hankins

Robert Hankins

Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
1,848
Could use a fellow Forumites help getting a sword Heat treated. I know there are a couple places that will do a Carbon steel blade. But right now I am pretty close to "BROKE" and can't spring the $75 just for a one time HT. Blade is a 28" OAL in 5160 Wazishka (sp) needs an edge quench. I can do the clay but worry about it coming off during shipping.
Anybody out there have a way to do this HT would be a great help to me!
Thanks
 
sounds like an interesting project... is this a Japanese style sword then? I think I saw a pic of the piece in progress on your image station gallery... what are your plans, handle? total weight? balance? finish? sheath... was looking for a short 1-hand sword myself ;)
 
Actually the one you saw is going to become a Cutlass with a D/S style guard with a stabilized Black dyed piece of Australian Lacewood for the handle. Guard will taper on top and toward the pommel. Plan on doing some NS accent pieces and Bluing the guard Etc, will have a definite Custom Flair.

The one I need help with the HT on will be a Wakizashi with a 20" blade made from either 5160 or S5 shock steel. While I am at it I will also be doing a Chinese war sword from the same material. Weight Etc to be determined.
Email me if you want to get pics when they are done.
 
Maybe the "back yard" method is way to go--a long pit filled with charcoal. Get about 4 inches of red coals on bottom and as much as possible in top, putting the open end so the wind blew into it and used a hair dryer by hand to get heat up and even.

That's how I used to HT long pieces--lots of work, lots of charcoal, lots of sparks and lots of praying. With care, I was able to keep the heat even on pieces up to 36 inches. I used 10XX steel. Not sure how 5160 would do. Thank goodness I don't have to do it that way anymore.
 
I am soon to be in the same boat that you are in. I have a 36 inch blade from S7 that I should have finished (I hope) at some point in the near future. I am unsure how well it would respond to the back yard pit method. I haven't been able to get info from alot of people on working with S7. I understand that Howard Clark at Morgan Valley Forge does longer peices. I know at one time he stopped doing heat treating for others but I think that he has started again. He uses salt baths and the results are supposed to be great. No idea on the price. Where did you find that did it for $75 if I may ask? Good luck.
 
Blinker,

If only I had my shop up and running again, I would heat treat the S5 for you. Also, its best to use accurate temp control with that steel, same with S7. For optimum performance. Lots of guys do 5160 by eyesight though. If I locate source to treat your sword in either steel, I'll drop you a line. Best of luck.
 
Jason,
Paul Bos will do S7 thats the way to go and he will straighten it free!
Feth,
He advertises in the back of Blade Mag in the classifieds.
I will wait for a forge or wind up making my own to do this HT.
Thanks for the support guys:D
 
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