pass-around contest!

Salem Straub said:
I just don't understand the freezer thing. Yes, 52100 is solidly hyper-e, so there really could be some retained austenite. Research shows that real cryo temps are what it takes to reduce that.

You know, if you want more conclusive "testing" results for your multi vs. single quench, or your 1 day vs. 11 day HT, or your Amana vs. DeWar mf finish, I'd think you'd need to test the blades "blind". That is, you don't know which is which while you test them, and you'd have to do a few rounds of the same testing with a pool of knives, to average out results.

For the best credibility, you'd need to have a completely independent party do the testing. And, the blades would have to have exactly the same geometry and sharpening.

This would all be quite labor and time intensive, not to mention expensive. It's the sort of thing that happens in big industry because the funding, and the labs are there. To my knowledge, the only major cutlery specific work that has been published by a reputable expert in the metallurgical field would be Verhoeven's "Metallurgy of Steel for Bladesmiths & Others who Heat Treat and Forge Steel". Another would be Roman Landes' book, which has not been translated to English.

As far as I am aware, the overwhelming majority of folks who care about this stuff would seem to take the single quench approach based on the science outlined in these works. That would put the burden of proof on the triple everything, kitchen freezer people.

I doubt that this can really be resolved satisfactorily. Even if the perfect testing somehow was performed, there would still be detractors and hold outs whatever the outcome. I really wish though that it could, because frankly I get tired of this discussion.

And why, why, WHY, do some people insist on using a torch to reach critical?
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Why cant any one see the fun in this, and maybe I will learn something from it. And also the testing is going to be done blind. No one is going to know what knife is what they will be marked with a triangle and a square. I will be completing my knife then darrin is going to copy it as best as he can. I dont know about you guys but I am going to have a lot of fun with this.
 
Don't get me wrong, this is a bit interesting to me. I'll be staying tuned for results if anything does go forward, and I do like what you're doing.
 
How about becoming a tester and doing what you can to keep this as scientific as possible.
 
Good points Salem. The reason I use a torch on smaller knives is control. Yes it takes practice to get it rite, but it gives me more control than heating the entire blade. And really it's no different than using the forge to heat the blade, which I use for larger blades. How can I be sure I don't overheat? By watching the colors and use of rare earth magnets, and a lot of practice, and occasionally destroying a blade to check myself. Works for me, your milage may vary.
 
I have no place in the process of making or testing here, just expressing some interest in where this is going...

Any objective testing has to be worthwhile, right? I'm expecting to learn a thing or two if this pans out (and already have).
 
If there are no pass around volunteers there Is no reason for me to waste my steel and time. I am also ok with sending the steel out for testing if there is some donations towards it. Seems pretty expensive.
 
Hate to see it fall through, but I understand where your coming from. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.
 
I'll certainly volunteer to test each blade(s). I have no dog in this hunt, I just want to see which heat treat turns out a better performing blade.
 
I was hoping that someone else would volunteer for testing, as I am very biased in favor of the multiple quench. but if there are not enough pass around testers, I will volunteer to be one as long as I don't know which blade is which beforehand so I can give it a honest test.

I think you've put way too much thought and effort into this to not do it.
 
Mudbug007 said:
I'll certainly volunteer to test each blade(s). I have no dog in this hunt, I just want to see which heat treat turns out a better performing blade.
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Joe Calton said:
I was hoping that someone else would volunteer for testing, as I am very biased in favor of the multiple quench. but if there are not enough pass around testers, I will volunteer to be one as long as I don't know which blade is which beforehand so I can give it a honest test.
.

I think you've put way too much thought and effort into this to not do it.
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Thanks guys please email me your phone #'s and addresses

chadstenger@gmail.com
 
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Joe and Don, thanks for volunteering to test the knives. I would like to see at least one more tester though.
 
Official testers

1. William courtney
2. Steve ballew
3. Joe calton
4. Donald lawson
 
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and it has started

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23 inches

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23 inches of 5160 steel


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cut into 2, 11 1/2" pieces.
 
Original post updated with official testers.

I also want to remind ppl that the tester position is still open to 4 more people
 
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