Question re 1095 hardness

[Rhett]

How hard will 1095 steel be if quenched in motor oil? Does the whole blade need to be tempered? Can I temper just the spine with a propane torch and the edge submerged in water? Thanks.

 

[Howard Clark]

there is no correct answer to your question, it is not specific enough, nor does it provide enough information.

All of it depends of how thick the piece is, to some degree how large or small the austenite grain size is (was, actually), how hot you get it, and the type and temperature of the oil.

In general, motor oil is not the best, it is slow. You would be better served by using quenching oil. Barring that, some kind of vegetable oil would be preferable, and heat it up some. Or better yet, use water at about 110-120F.

Regardless, the whole blade should be tempered for stress relief, with the option of drawing the spine back softer if you wanted to by selectively tempering it hotter. if the whole blade hardened. That is unlikely if it is a large blade, and you quench it in any kind of oil. In that case, you would most likely get only the edge to harden, with the spine and body being made into pearlite, which is not a bad thing.

 

[Allen Blade]

Hello,

1095 needs a real fast Quench, i mean that it needs to be taken below its critical stage to its hardening stage in like 1 second, best to use a fast quench oil , i use
mineral/olive oil mix at 130 Degree temp to quench in, does it real fast and gives a Thourough hardened blade.

If you do not take it to its hardening stage fast enough you dont get complete hardening of the inner material, almost a surface hardness like outcome, then when you finish grind after heat treat you will wonder why it seems not as hard,, 8)

regards,,,,,Allen Blade

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Allen Blade
Spokane,WA USA

" You can make great knives and sell a few, Or make Great AFFORDABLE knives and sell many"
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