Overheating when grinding

C

cjensema

Joined
Dec 29, 1998
Messages
288
Once in awhile I push too hard when grinding and a spot on the edge or tip turns anywhere from brown to blue from overheating. Now, I know this is bad, but can anyone tell me what this does to the structure of the steel? Is the damage too great to ignore? Any way to fix such hot spots?
 
If the blade has already been heat treated....the answer is YES! Anytime you change colors on a heat treated blade, your softening the material. IMHO I don't think one can ignore any overheating during the final grinds. And doubley so if the overheated portion happens to be in the belly/tip area. (this is where knives see 90% of their useage)
If the overheating occurs prior to heat treating, I don't worry about that. It will get the full compliment of thermal cycles anyway.
 
So it's OK to toast 'em prior to heat treat? ...and here I was cooling them in a bucket of water every 30 seconds...
rolleyes.gif
 
If you get the blade too hot when grinding, it will warp. Then you have to straighten it before heat treating. Pain in the butt.

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My knives
 
Thanks to all who replied to my question.

I was refering to hot spots before heat treating. Like Wulf, I dunk often, but hot spots still appear once in awhile. Apparently this is because I'm basically a cheapskate and use my belts as long as possible. I'll have to try changing belts more often.

 
There could be one other issue here. You may be taking the edge down too fine before heat treating. That can lead to problems during and after heat treating, like decarburization and/or overheating it again when you're finish grinding.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show
 
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