newbie would appreciate some confirmation on my assumptions about 1095

[crimsonfalcon07]

Hello all. I'm a strictly amateur knife hobbyist, not particularly interested in selling or anything; I just want a good project here and there to keep myself entertained. I have read the first 30 pages of threads thus far, and gone through the standard reply and the other stickies. Also searched about tempering 1095, which is what my question is about. I have gathered that it is a very difficult steel to temper at home yourself, if, like me, you have no idea about tempering. I'm going to try 1084 from Aldo next time when I get around to trying to learn tempering, but I already have a couple knives made up from a piece of 1095 that I'd like to get tempered. Prior until now I've only worked with Nicholson files, doing stock removal.

I'm thinking I'm best off sending them out to a professional to do the heat treating (is this smart, or should I try at home, since I lack a forge?), and I wanted to confirm a few of my questions:

1. Rockwell. 57-59 RC a good choice for 1095? It's a FFG little EDC fixed blade, if that matters.
2. Should I flatten the edge out a little bit to prevent warpage, and grind it more later? Or will it be okay if I've already ground to the edge, although not sharpened it?
3. Will I still be able to do a little grinding after heat treat, or is that going to be very challenging?
4. I assume I drill holes prior to sending it out for heat treat. The files have been a devil to drill holes in so far. Any reason to wait?
5. I was going to use texasknife. Have you folks done business with them? Anything I should know or be concerned about dealing with them? What if I don't have equipment to do a makers mark?

Thanks in advance for your help, and all your expertise. There is a LOT of helpful information on here, and a good community.

 

[12345678910]

Hello all. I'm a strictly amateur knife hobbyist, not particularly interested in selling or anything; I just want a good project here and there to keep myself entertained. I have read the first 30 pages of threads thus far, and gone through the standard reply and the other stickies. Also searched about tempering 1095, which is what my question is about. I have gathered that it is a very difficult steel to temper at home yourself, if, like me, you have no idea about tempering. I'm going to try 1084 from Aldo next time when I get around to trying to learn tempering, but I already have a couple knives made up from a piece of 1095 that I'd like to get tempered. Prior until now I've only worked with Nicholson files, doing stock removal.

I'm thinking I'm best off sending them out to a professional to do the heat treating (is this smart, or should I try at home, since I lack a forge?), and I wanted to confirm a few of my questions:

1. Rockwell. 57-59 RC a good choice for 1095? It's a FFG little EDC fixed blade, if that matters.
2. Should I flatten the edge out a little bit to prevent warpage, and grind it more later? Or will it be okay if I've already ground to the edge, although not sharpened it?
3. Will I still be able to do a little grinding after heat treat, or is that going to be very challenging?
4. I assume I drill holes prior to sending it out for heat treat. The files have been a devil to drill holes in so far. Any reason to wait?
5. I was going to use texasknife. Have you folks done business with them? Anything I should know or be concerned about dealing with them? What if I don't have equipment to do a makers mark?

Thanks in advance for your help, and all your expertise. There is a LOT of helpful information on here, and a good community.

I agree with sending it out.

Texas will not do 1095

http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/privacy.php#services
"We heat treat and temper only air quenchable steels such as 440C, 440V, 154CM, ATS34, D2, A2, etc"

Peter's will, but the minimum batch price is high


Maybe you can find someone here that will do it for you.

What is englewood? a city?
Maybe include a state and country to help others help you.


Yes drill before hardening.

 

[Darrin Sanders]

Hello, I would do them for you for $10 per blade plus return shipping. 57-59 is fine for that type of blade made from 1095. Your edge should be .025"-.030" before heat treat. Leaving the edge at this thickness reduces the chance of warping and also allows you room to grind off the scale after heat treat. When grinding after heat treat be careful not to get the steel hotter than the tempering temp. which for 1095 is approx. 450 degrees. I heat treat 1095 on a regular basis and use a digitally contolled kiln and Parks 50 quench oil. I do 3 thermal cycles to relieve stress and refine the grain structure then heat to 1475 and soak the blade for 5 min. then quench in 130 - 140 degree oil. I usually temper 3 times at 450 degrees. 1095 treated in this manner makes a fine blade. Let me know if you'd like me to H/T your blades and also if I can answer any other questions.

Darrin

 

[AVigil]

Take Darrin up on his offer.

Thats a good deal and very nice of him

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Wow, thanks Darrin. That would be fantastic. I saw your name several times when I was reading about 1095, but I didn't figure I'd be that lucky I'll send you an email. Thanks so much!