Optimum RC for O1

Roger Gregory

Roger Gregory

Joined
Jan 22, 2000
Messages
499
I am not going anywhere near THAT topic in the general forum! Mostly because I'll get drawn into ordering a custom Talonite toilet seat from Tom Mayo with a Brazilian kingwood lid.

The question is a serious one, brought on by that topic but concerning my own blades, not anyone elses, honest!

I am working on general purpose blades from 1" x 1/8" stock and camp knives from 1 1/2" x 1/4" stock.

The question is, what would be the optimum RC for the blades?

I know O1 can theoretically be taken to something like RC 64 and practically to RC 62 but both are obviously way too high for knives. I was thinking of 58ish for the camp knife and 59 to 60 for the general purpose blade.

All comments are welcome, even the ones telling me to leave O1 alone.

Roger
 
I have recently tested a 320 layers damascus blade that I have made with O1 and 1020 steel.
It achieved 58 HRC after oil hardening and double tempering. This value seems ideal for a medium sized folder.
Claude

 
Roger, 57-58 RC is what I heat treat my
0-1 blades to. Seems to be Just right for a general purpose blade.

 
0-1 is a really fine blade material for the carbon steel category. I enjoy the way it takes an edge, both the keeness and the way the sharpening devices will readily bite in. I have taken my 0-1 to roughly 60 Rc and find these to be very fine instruments.

The trick is to build one to your liking and put it to the test. Anything below 61-62 Rc will be judged solely on sharpenability (final edge and ease of sharpening) and on endurance of the edge. As we all know, the softer the edge, the more we must sharpen the dratted thing.

I haven't sold 0-1, but use it for myself and friends that I know will use them hard.

Dan
Hannon Bearpaw Knives http://www.freeweb.pdq.net/dhannon/hannon.htm
 
Gentlemen,

Thanks for the confirmation that I was in the right kind of area with my intended RC numbers.

Now that I've decided to torch these blades myself the advice is irrelevant of course, there's no way I'm going to have steady temperatures or even accurate ones. But at least I'll be able to straigten the damned blades out when they warp!

Roger
 
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