Parks 50 & Unicorns???

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer

Joined
Feb 28, 2006
Messages
3,494
Hi Friends,

I've read enough to know that I need, and want, to cultivate my germinal knife making efforts with real quench oils, specifically some Parks 50. But as near as I can tell the stuff isn't available anywhere. It appears to be rarer than hen's teeth and unicorns.

Anyone got any ideas where I can get some?

Thanks, Phil
 
Hey Phil, I think Darren Ellis is about the only place once he gets it back in stock.Unless a maker has a spare gallon to sell.
 
Ya, but Darren doesn't know when he'll have it again...and I got to get going.
 
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I'm afraid you're down to 'beggin & pleading'. :D:D

I got some from his last shipment but it's all in my 'tank'. Hopefully someone will have an extra gallon they can part with.
 
Hmmmm, for all you good folks who have the rare good fortune to possess some genuine unicorn blood (Parks 50) you have my envy and admiration!

Who knew that mustering the forces to manifest a forge, anvil and belt grinder (maybe even with variable speed ;)), along with some absolutely identifiable knife steels, would be but the beginning of the challenges to making knives. Who knew garnishing some of the fundamentals of knife construction and design, forging, stock removal, and steel heat treating basics would bring one almost to the starting line.

Who knew there would still be the last seemingly insurmountable hurdle.... That of passing through the tempest of pseudo-science and magical mumbo-jumbo of garage concocted heat treat goops and gels.... That of coming clear of the smoke and mirrors, of the hype and promises, of snake oil recipes.... That of tap dancing past numerous trials and tribulations of tricky recipes and vaporous vales.... That of finally arriving at a novice's understanding of the truly initiated master knife makers and their use of the proper potions of petroleum distillates....

Who knew that embarking on the long lonely path of seeking the holy grail of the genuine hand made knife would bring one to the holy land, almost. Who knew there would still be the ever elusive elixir to acquire, the mystical Parks 50?

Who knew?!
 
You might try contacting any companies that do heat treating on your island. Thats how I was able to find my oil. Its not Parks 50, but its better than what I was using before.
 
Farmer Phyl said:
Hmmmm, for all you good folks who have the rare good fortune to possess some genuine unicorn blood (Parks 50) you have my envy and admiration!

Who knew that mustering the forces to manifest a forge, anvil and belt grinder (maybe even with variable speed ;)), along with some absolutely identifiable knife steels, would be but the beginning of the challenges to making knives. Who knew garnishing some of the fundamentals of knife construction and design, forging, stock removal, and steel heat treating basics would bring one almost to the starting line.

Who knew there would still be the last seemingly insurmountable hurdle.... That of passing through the tempest of pseudo-science and magical mumbo-jumbo of garage concocted heat treat goops and gels.... That of coming clear of the smoke and mirrors, of the hype and promises, of snake oil recipes.... That of tap dancing past numerous trials and tribulations of tricky recipes and vaporous vales.... That of finally arriving at a novice's understanding of the truly initiated master knife makers and their use of the proper potions of petroleum distillates....

Who knew that embarking on the long lonely path of seeking the holy grail of the genuine hand made knife would bring one to the holy land, almost. Who knew there would still be the ever elusive elixir to acquire, the mystical Parks 50?

Who knew?!
Click to expand...

Phyl, I must admit, you have a way wit words :thumbup: :thumbup: ;)

I really enjoy your reading your posts for insight into your knowledge and experience related to knifemaking.......but more than that....... the humor factor.

You're good bud :D
 
david Wesner said:
phyl, I Must Admit, You Have A Way Wit Words :thumbup: :thumbup: ;)

I really Enjoy Your Reading Your Posts For Insight Into Your Knowledge And Experience Related To Knifemaking.......but More Than That....... The Humor Factor.

You're Good Bud :d
Click to expand...

Priceless!
 
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Phyl, if you're anxious to get goin', get yerself a gallon of vet grade mineral oil. Unless you are going full scale production, I doubt you will notice much difference. jmo bruce
 
I'm having the same problem as Phyl. So, if I REALLY,
REALLY want to start RIGHT NOW which would be a better stop-gap for 1095, 1084, W1, etc.; mineral oil or ATF? And how about for 5160?
 
K&G Supply has a fast quench oil that I believe is from Shell (somebody correct me if I am wrong) that works really well with 1084 and W1.

Most of what I forge is from A2 and I plate quench that, so Idon't do a lot of the simple Carbon steels.
 
I'm having the exact same problem. No parks 50 on the horizon and the northeast Houghton rep isn't responding to my emails or phone calls. No luck through work contacts either, strange since my company also does on-site heat treat/stress relief on welded pipes and welds.

I had good results using mineral oil and olive oil early on when I had 1095. I may have to back to that soon.
 
birdog4 said:
Phyl, if you're anxious to get goin', get yerself a gallon of vet grade mineral oil. Unless you are going full scale production, I doubt you will notice much difference. jmo bruce
Click to expand...

You will notice a difference if you are using something like W2 or good 1095.
 
McMaster/Carr has two different speeds of oil. 28 sec & 11 Second if that will help. $14.00 a gallon last I puchased some.
 
i use vet grade min oll with my 5160 and have been very happy. just heat it first to 100-120
 
P-50 is definitely the stuff for W1, W2, and 1095. I know of no oil faster for these shallow hardening steels.

Has anyone heard from Ellis, as to why he doesn't have it in stock?
Is he now having trouble getting it?
 
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