Question about home heat treating

C

claybuster5

Joined
Nov 18, 2012
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54
I have my first 3 blades done and ready to heat treat. I'm going to do this in my charcoal grill until I can build a simple forge. The steel I am using is 1095 from NJ Steel Baron, my question is do I have to anneal it (I think that's what it's called, before the quench when you heat it really hot and let it cool down) before the quench part? I have heard people say that this is not nessacery with steel from Aldo. Is this correct?
 
It's already annealed if you bought it from Aldo, so no.
You might be confusing annealing with normalizing. If you're doing stock removal it isn't necessary to normalized but it wouldn't hurt either. If you forged the knives then you should do a couple of normalizing cycles.

There's lots of good info on heat treating. If you just read the stickies you'll find this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/379832-How-the-hell-do-you-heat-treat-1095-
 
Your barbecue grill is NOT going to heat treat your knives. Especially 1095. Bad steel for a beginner to try and heat treat. Next time get yourself some Aldo 1084.
 
IMHO it doesn't hurt to normalize bar stock when doing stock removal. Since you have 1095, you might as well use it if you're not going to buy more steel right away. If I were in your position, I'd heat it to non-magnetic then I'd watch for another color change above non-magnetic and try to hold that color for a few minutes. Since you probably don't have Parks #50 or a similar quench oil, I'd use warm canola to quench in. (about 130 degrees) This is the way I did several knives before I "learned" that 1095 wasn't a good steel for beginners. Those knives (with the exception of one I broke to see the grain structure...which was very good) are still getting the job done today.

Did I get the very most out of the steel heat treating it this way? No. Did I end up with some very good knives that hold an edge and do what they were designed to do. You bet. So don't let the fact you only have 1095 discourage you. Use what you have on hand and do the best you can with what you have!
 
jll346 said:
Your barbecue grill is NOT going to heat treat your knives. Especially 1095. Bad steel for a beginner to try and heat treat. Next time get yourself some Aldo 1084.
Click to expand...

I tried to anneal a file one time. My first ever attempt at anything knifemaking. Using a BBQ grill and an electric leaf blower, the fire got so hot the 3/16" file was bent like a banana (the same arc as the bottom of a Weber, howbouthtat?)

While not advisable to get the best results (especially with 1095).....

You can use your BBQ grill, but you MUST have some sort of air flow to get your fire hot enough. Fans, leaf blowers, hair dryers even...something to get decent airflow into the fire. Use charcoal, not wood. And wait to put your blade in until the coal has burned enough to where you can try your best to spread it evenly, to distribut heat evenly. Try to suspend your knife using wire through the tang holes, hanging it to where it rests just above the coals, you don't want the blade to rest on the coals themselves. I'm seeing a bubbly pattern on my blade that sands out with a lot of elbow grease. This bubbly pattern is caused, no doubt, by some variable using an open fire, and I think it's the blade touching the coal. I have no idea, though...just something to watch out for. The tricky part of using a fire like this is evenness of temperature. It's hard to maintain ANY given temperature with an open fire, but if you'll use the 1080 series steels, you can get good results. It doesn't take long to get a blade to nonmagnetic, but you need to go a little past that with 1095. 1575 degrees? Don't quote me on that. I'm getting great results with the 1080 1080+ 1084 steel and this simple cheepo mountain man method. Temper twice at 350, and I'm way impressed when I put abrasive to blade. I'm still VERY new, and haven't done any real hard testing, but you can tell when you're getting good results. Good can become great with the proper equipment. I'm just aching to get a temp controlled oven, and a belt sander. Have fun, man.....that's what this is all about! I love every part of knifemaking, and the people in this community are absolutely wonderful.
 
There are so many makers near you I would really suggest you make a shop visit and do these 1095 blades right. The chances of a BBQ grill doing 1095 HT and getting any sort of good results is low.

Not saying it can't be done, but it is not likely to end well.

Consider the work already invested and decide for yourself.
 
I would love to visit a shop, however I doubt any makers near me will accept me as I am only 15 years old. I am very limited due to my age.
 
They will surely ask for a parent to accompany you, but most folks are glad to help a new young person get started right.

I have a sign for my show table that is aimed at folks who might want to get a better price, or something custom made:
"IF YOU DON'T ASK, I CAN'T SAY YES".
 
I have neighborhood teens over to the shop all the time. Knifemakers are usually ver generous and willing to teach.
 
If you were near me id say come on over to the shop for a visit, 15 or not. Unless im swamped, sincere knife lovers are always welcome as long as they are respectfull. Doesnt matter how old they are.
 
I am not exaggerating that there are a lot of makers in your area.
A new thread titled, "Looking for Help in the Rochester, NY and Nearby Area" will probably get some response.

Put in the opening paragraph that you are new maker, 15 years old, have your parents backing on knifemaking ( you do, I hope?), and need to learn how to HT your three 1095 blade correctly. Ask if anyone near the area would be willing to show you how it is done. Posting a few photos of the blades will help, too.
 
If they are small enough to fit in my electric kiln I will heat treat them. What is your overall length? I do not do shop visits as my shop is actually an hour away and I work weird hours (doing shop time around a third shift job)

-Page
 
I would have you mail them (if they fit) and I would heat threat them next time I am at the shop and mail them back

-Page
 
They are all under 12", I would love your help. Ill be sending you an email soon with more info once I clean it up. I really appreciate your help!
 
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