- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
- Messages
- 11
Hi all. New knifemaker here. I'll post some pics for my knifeforums background check ASAP.
Because I'm new to this process, I'm doing my own heat treating in a propane forge. Being that I'm a control freak, I hate not knowing whether I'm on the mark for the particular steel I'm using during the soak phase. And being that I'm stubborn and broke, I haven't invested in a PID or even a high temp ceramic probe and thermometer.
I did invest in a few of these.
Pyrometric cones are used when firing ceramic in a kiln. They come in a huge range of temps, from tempering to forge temps IFRK.
These pyrometric cones sit in a firebrick cone holder I whipped up. I use three, one that's too cold, one that's too hot, and one that's just right.
As soon as the just right cone begins to droop, I dial the propane flow back a tiny bit and set my timer for the soak, 10 minutes for a 20-30 minute soak because it takes about 10-20 minutes for the cone to droop.
I've gotten pretty damn good results on A-2, 1095, and 0-1 steels (all foil wrapped) and my latest A-2 knife has proven ridiculously difficult to damage during torture tests.
They are really more a measurement of temperature/time rather than ambient temp in the moment, but has anyone experimented with these? Tell this new guy why he's wrong, with as many insults as possible.
Because I'm new to this process, I'm doing my own heat treating in a propane forge. Being that I'm a control freak, I hate not knowing whether I'm on the mark for the particular steel I'm using during the soak phase. And being that I'm stubborn and broke, I haven't invested in a PID or even a high temp ceramic probe and thermometer.
I did invest in a few of these.
Pyrometric cones are used when firing ceramic in a kiln. They come in a huge range of temps, from tempering to forge temps IFRK.
These pyrometric cones sit in a firebrick cone holder I whipped up. I use three, one that's too cold, one that's too hot, and one that's just right.
As soon as the just right cone begins to droop, I dial the propane flow back a tiny bit and set my timer for the soak, 10 minutes for a 20-30 minute soak because it takes about 10-20 minutes for the cone to droop.
I've gotten pretty damn good results on A-2, 1095, and 0-1 steels (all foil wrapped) and my latest A-2 knife has proven ridiculously difficult to damage during torture tests.
They are really more a measurement of temperature/time rather than ambient temp in the moment, but has anyone experimented with these? Tell this new guy why he's wrong, with as many insults as possible.