Proper H.T. Regimen for O-1

[Cooter DeGraw]

Guys--I just know that with all the knife makers out there using O-1 that some one has got a scheme of heat treating O-1 thay really works--my problem is that the first few blades that I ground/HT'd are harder than a Bourbon Street "Ladies' " heart. The first custom knife that I ever owned was crafted from O-1 and that maker also had a similar problem. HELP Cooter

 

[mete]

Define exactly what you're looking for .Of course it gets hard, it's supposed to , it's a tool steel !!! Are you complaining about grinding after HT ?

 

[Cooter DeGraw]

I want to end up with an R.C of about 58-59 and I am now ending up with something much harder than that. I have the equipment and know how to sharpen a "hard" blade, but most persons do not and as a result once that super-hard razor edge goes away and they can't resharpen--they will become disillusioned about about the knife. I mentioned that the first custom knife that I owned had an extremly hard blade and resharpening was a problem till I obtained the equipment and the skills to surmount the problem. That was 37 yrs, ago. Another question--once I bring the O-1 blade down to 58-59 rc, will the wear resistance go away as well? thanks cooter

 

[CWendling]

what is the current hardness of the blade you are talking about?

 

[mete]

Assuming your hardening is correct you vary the hardness by tempering 400-500 F.Depending on the batch of steel , you'll get 56-62 HRc.You'll lose some wear resistance but nothing really noticable at 500 F. It's a really fine blade steel.