I have been using 1075/1080 steel for my knives and I'm getting some pitting after heat treating. I do not believe I'm over heating the steel before quenching,it only happens with the 3/16x1" stock I'm using and none of the other stock I have does this. Did I just get a hold of some bad steel or is this a indication that I'm over or unevenly heating the steel? It still hardens up really nice, just a pain to sand down all the extra steel to make a smooth surface.
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Pitting after heat treatment.
- Thread starter mitsaru
- Start date
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Take a few pieces and run some tests.
1) a 6" piece just cut off the bar.
2) a 6" piece with both surfaces well sanded at 120 and then 220 grit till smooth ( 400 if you feel like it).
3) a piece like #2 but coated with a thin layer of satanite.
Run all three through identical HT and temper, then clean up with a 220 belt. If all are equally pitted, the problem is likely in the steel. If they vary a good bit, with the coated bar the best, the problem is in the HT.
1) a 6" piece just cut off the bar.
2) a 6" piece with both surfaces well sanded at 120 and then 220 grit till smooth ( 400 if you feel like it).
3) a piece like #2 but coated with a thin layer of satanite.
Run all three through identical HT and temper, then clean up with a 220 belt. If all are equally pitted, the problem is likely in the steel. If they vary a good bit, with the coated bar the best, the problem is in the HT.