Order Complete! Second huge maker's purchase is done! Incoming Paragon KM14

David Schott

David Schott

Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
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For some time now I have been eyeing the idea of buying a HT oven. I have been using a forced air forge for some time now. While it is great for getting things very hot, very fast, I have always wanted far more control. I believe the HT process to be the most important in the whole shebang we call knifemaking. In the end, anyone with time and patience can shape a blade and sand it down, but the performance lies in the HT.

After some serious desires to work with stainless (planned future folder work, etc) as well as a desire begin some serious studies into temps, cycles, and processes with varying steels, I decided to get an oven.

My reasons for this were numerous, but mainly chalked up to an overwhelming desire to KNOW my exact temps, ramp speeds, and especially being able to properly soak and conduct testing with a repeatable and consistent HT process. This, added with the removal of flames from my house environment, removal of propane usage, and I thought it was a no-brainer.

My next concern was that I am currently in an apartment and cannot do much electrical modifications. I inquired with Paragon and found that their KM14 will fit all my specifications, fitting every size knife I currently make, giving me all the controls and quality I want, and comes in 120V! which will allow me to use the oven anywhere (And even travel with it, if necessary!)

They first quoted a 4+ week production time, but with some smooth talking, they agreed to ship it out to me by March 30th! (1 week!)....

Until then, I will be grinding like mad, and I am wholly lookin forward to the oven!

I wanted to thank nearly everyone in shoptalk. I read through MANY posts regarding ovens, setups, and some of the recent studies people have done have really opened my eyes to an aspect of knifemaking that interests me greatly, and which i will be albe to pursue in detail!
 
Man, you're my frickin' hero!

Congratulations!

I suspect you're right about the importance of heat treating... at some stage in the game, I'll bet I'll end up heading in the same direction (although it probably has more with me being a control freak than actually getting to the point of making something good enough to sell!).
 
I am a control freak, as well. Every time I go to HT, I dreaded it because no matter what the magnet says, no matter what shade the blade looks or shaows I saw or what temps I THINK the blade is, nothing will replace knowing within a few degrees what is going on.
 
Congrats! I understand how you're feeling right now -- I just ordered an evenheat today (and proper quench oil yesterday). I've got some blades ground and waiting, and will have a few more by the time it gets here. Control freaks of the world, unite! Like you, I've been inspired to get a better handle on the process by great threads on this forum. Also, I want to try out some more kinds of steel, including stainless. Next, I've got to save up for a rockwell tester. Does it ever end $$$?
 
Nah, never seems to end...so far at least.....First there was the KMG, which made grinding much more pleasurable......then there was the bandsaw that speeded up everything.....now its the oven to keep up with the grinding! Haha....I am accumulating for a show in May and have about 8 little knives ground, 3 big ones, and 2 finished.....can't wait to HT them all in a day or two....
 
TikTok: That's a nice purchase. the 120V may take a while to get up to SS HT temps, but, hey, you can deal with that.

Be sure to check the temperatures using a digital panel meter when you get it up and running. Paragons are usually pretty close to what they say, but, if you check it, you'll know exactly where you are. They are very consistent.
 
TikTock said:
Nah, never seems to end...so far at least.....First there was the KMG, which made grinding much more pleasurable......then there was the bandsaw that speeded up everything.....now its the oven to keep up with the grinding! Haha....I am accumulating for a show in May and have about 8 little knives ground, 3 big ones, and 2 finished.....can't wait to HT them all in a day or two....
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im doing it the other way around but no less $$$ spent saving for a KMG as i already have an evenheat talk about cart before the horse got to try out a 2x72 on 1.5 hp man i got to have one now
 
120 eh? Very nice -- besides time, do you know of that causing any other problems with ht?
 
Congratulations, and welcome to the club! :D You won't regret getting an oven. Just make sure you do like Martinsite said and double check the temps. Control means nothing if the readout is wrong. Have fun!
 
I haventheard anything negative about 120. Im guessing time to get up to tem may be affected, but if you go to paragon's website, it is stock in 120
 
butcher_block said:
im doing it the other way around but no less $$$ spent saving for a KMG as i already have an evenheat talk about cart before the horse got to try out a 2x72 on 1.5 hp man i got to have one now
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You realize that I exist to be a bad influence don't you Butch? :) Of course, if you start forging you end up with a lot less grinding to do.... :D

-d
 
deker said:
You realize that I exist to be a bad influence don't you Butch? :) Of course, if you start forging you end up with a lot less grinding to do.... :D

-d
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nope not goin to do it dam it
btw it was cool to get to see everyone blacksmithing thanks for the invite

oooo and dam it i need me a grinder and you sure didnt help me any
butch
 
I may just take you up on that!

I am very excited and have been grinding away like nuts lately. I have 14 knives profiled and half of those ground. I hope to have them all ground by the time the oven arrives. Half will be getting clay treatments. That should be a good batch to get the oven broken in, haha!
 
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