Question about HT oven.

[Fletch Helical]

When you are doing a HT on a blade or blades do you have to have them sitting in some kind of rack in the oven? In other words can you just put them right on the firebrick or do they have to be in some kind of holder to keep them off the bricks?

 

[silver_pilate]

I like to use some sort of rack to stand my blades on spine instead of on the flats. In my mind it makes for more even heating. I used a grooved and cut down fire brick for years.

--nathan

 

[Justin King]

They should be held vertically so that both sides are equally exposed to the heat. You do not want them laying flat on the bottom. I use small pieces of firebrick with 1/8" holes drilled in them and 1/8" stainless pins inserted into the holes to make racks.

 

[Patrickknives]

I cut slots into some 1/2 x 1/2 angle iron, and set blade edge up in the slots. One near each end.

 

[balibalistic]

I dont think it really matters. i've used racks, slotted firebrick and have layed them flat inside the oven.., all have same hardness.

 

[KnifeMaker.ca]

I love these.

Rob!

 

[thartman]

I recommend one of the racks like the ones offered by the knife supply companys. I used a slotted firebrick before getting a rack. After getting the rack set up I found that the overall time needed for heat treaing was considerable less with the rack. It simply took more time to get The firebrick up to temperature.
Tim