I am new to the knife making scene. I have gotten a piece of 1/8" x 1 1/2" metal at Lowe's to do my first blade so I am not sure what exactly it is. I have cut the design out of the metal & after I file it down I am gonna heat it in a charcoal bucket until a magnet does not stick to it. I am sure it will be red hot. Here is my question what do I need to quench it in?? olive oil?? motor oil?? used motor oil??
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
quenching question???
- Thread starter mpwildy
- Start date
fitzo
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2001
- Messages
- 6,648
Welcome to BladeForums!
Unfortunately, the stuff they sell at Lowes and Home Depot in the bins is usually what's called structural steel and have insufficient carbon to harden. At best it would be 1018 mild carbon steel, and still has inadequate carbon for a knife blade.
You could try and quench in water, but IMHO it won't make much more than a letter opener.
There are a number of places that sell good carbon and alloy steels for knifemaking. You might consider looking at www.flat-stock.com or www.flatground.com. I would recommend considering O1 as your first steel.
This is a very friendly place, so everyone will be quite happy to help you with the learning process.
Unfortunately, the stuff they sell at Lowes and Home Depot in the bins is usually what's called structural steel and have insufficient carbon to harden. At best it would be 1018 mild carbon steel, and still has inadequate carbon for a knife blade.
You could try and quench in water, but IMHO it won't make much more than a letter opener.
There are a number of places that sell good carbon and alloy steels for knifemaking. You might consider looking at www.flat-stock.com or www.flatground.com. I would recommend considering O1 as your first steel.
This is a very friendly place, so everyone will be quite happy to help you with the learning process.