O1 Hamon?

I agree with LRB about two tempering cycles. I've mentioned on here before, I don't use O1, so I don't really want to give specifics on temperatures. I can only go by the datasheets, but I think 500 would be fine if the knife is meant as a chopper.

The ABS test is a whole new can of worms :D
 
From my understanding, the entire purpose of the ABS test is to make sure the maker knows how to control heat, time and temperature to acheive a specific result. It doesn't mean that a blade that can bend to 90 without cracking at the edge is the best, but it's what they want you to do. So, they're looking to see if you have enough understanding of, and can you manipulate your heat treating processes appropriately to acheive the specific result.

--nathan
 
Well, I'm hardly ready for any ABS tests... this is only my 6th blade, lol. I'm interested in hearing how anyone else would go about tempering a 7" bowie made of O1. Feel free to chime in!
Also, what grit do you sand up to before HT?
 
I take the blade up to 400 grit by hand prior to heat treating. This removes all deeper scratches from rough grinding while the blade is in a more workable state.

If it were my knife, I would bring the blade up to temperature (1475), hold it there for 20 minutes, and quench it fully in AAA or equivalent oil. Then I would temper at 400 for 2 cycles of 2 hours. I would then slowly draw the handle and proximal spine tempers even further with a torch (up past the blues, but well away from incandescent) while keeping the edge cool. Next, I would remove any decarb (shallow layer) with a 400-600 grit belt on the grinder, and refinish by hand up to my desired grit.

With O-1, I wouldn't even try for a temper line, and true hamons aren't likely going to happen. If I wanted a hamon, I would go for W-1, 1084, 1095 or the like.

--nathan
 
Thanks Nathan. I do not have the means to measure nor hold it for 20 minutes at 1475F and I do not have AAA. The best I am going to be able to do is heat in a fire until non-magnetic and stick it back in for a few more minutes and then quench in a slurry of used motor oil, tranny fluid, and canola oil. Backyard HTing at it's finest. If I could, I'd def do it your way though. According to this chart here http://www.knives.com/heatreat.html, tempering at 400 will give me a hardness of 59 Rc. That seems a bit high for a blade that will likely see some chopping, doesn't it? Thank you for your reply. I will sand up to 400 before I HT and I'm not really worried about getting a hamon anymore so much as if I should diff. temper the blade or not. Getting several different answers is kind of confusing.
 
DustinHall said:
Thanks Nathan. I do not have the means to measure nor hold it for 20 minutes at 1475F and I do not have AAA. The best I am going to be able to do is heat in a fire until non-magnetic and stick it back in for a few more minutes and then quench in a slurry of used motor oil, tranny fluid, and canola oil. Backyard HTing at it's finest. If I could, I'd def do it your way though. According to this chart here http://www.knives.com/heatreat.html, tempering at 400 will give me a hardness of 59 Rc. That seems a bit high for a blade that will likely see some chopping, doesn't it? Thank you for your reply. I will sand up to 400 before I HT and I'm not really worried about getting a hamon anymore so much as if I should diff. temper the blade or not. Getting several different answers is kind of confusing.
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To be very blunt, if this is the best equipment and methodology that you have or have access to, then you REALLY ought to consider a different steel. You will NOT get the full benefit of O-1 with your setup. You can get close to the full benefits of 1084 with your setup. Probably should get some 1084, or get someone with the proper equipment to HT your 0-1 for you.
Matt Doyle
 
mdoyle said:
To be very blunt, if this is the best equipment and methodology that you have or have access to, then you REALLY ought to consider a different steel. You will NOT get the full benefit of O-1 with your setup. You can get close to the full benefits of 1084 with your setup. Probably should get some 1084, or get someone with the proper equipment to HT your 0-1 for you.
Matt Doyle
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I understand I will not get the FULL benefit of O1 with my method but, a friend that HTs the same way has gotten pretty nice results. I plan on getting 1084 in the near future because for one it's a LOT cheaper and two, I hear it does very well with this kind of HTing.
 
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