R-3 Heat Treat

Dave Rishar

Dave Rishar

Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
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I was doing a batch of etches today and realized that my poor little R-3 had not yet received one. IIRC there was some discussion and questions about the heat treats on the new series of small knives coming through from HI so I decided to take a look at what I had. I'll let the pictures do the majority of the talking.

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I don't think that I could've sketched a better hardened zone for this knife. Due to our recent "interesting" bit of weather I submerged the thing in mineral oil and intend to keep it there for a few days, so I haven't yet file tested the steel. I don't expect any surprises though.

I should also mention that this one arrived sharp. Granted, the edge was heavily burred on one side but it was sharp enough out of the box to cut up old BDU pants for use as rags for wiping the oil off.

I haven't been following things as closely as I used to here due to my schedule. Which kami uses the flower stamp? This is what mine features and I'm quite pleased with his work, whoever he is.
 

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I thought Bruise has the flower?

Nice blade.

Dave, you're one of those guys who makes whatever tool in his hand at the time just look good. I knew a gunsmith like that. Soon as he held the .308 mauser in front of me I knew I'd like to have it.

We Bipedal apes with opposable thumbs have come a long way in tool making.


munk
 
On a somewhat related note, I'm going to continue using this spot for photography. Between the mysteries of digital imaging and my aging monitor, I'm left with the impression that this is a display piece, nestled on a pedestal in a museum somewhere, or maybe the atrium of a cathedral or expensive office building.

An honest man would add that it's the plastic counter in his seventies-styled bathroom, but hey...let's stick with the museum reference. I like that better.

I enjoy the etched look on knives for its honesty if nothing else. That steel was always pretty under there -- I just removed the makeup.

Do we have any other pictures of etches on the newer small knives? I've noticed a gradual difference in the shape and coverage of the hamon on the larger offerings but this is the only knife of this type in my possession. I'd be interested in seeing more.
 
Great Dave,

THAT's what a cutting knife's heat treat should look like!

An atrium in a cathedral? er...

well, sure.
 
That looks great! The R-5 and R-6 knives I have are similarly well hardened, although there would really be no excuse for the R-3 NOT to be well hardened as the blade is so short. About the only one I have had (that I have etched; haven't checked all the KK's and JKM's and Sarges) that is not hardened the full length of the blade is the 13" crow knife.

Norm

BTW, Dil is the flower kami. He also did all 4 of the antler R-6's, only one of which sold for some amazing reason.
 
Dave Rishar said:
Printed circuit board etchant from Radio Shack.
Click to expand...

Did you sand it down first? I have read that the mirror finish does'nt etch that great unless you bring it down to a satin finish.
 
A satin finish probably works better, as it holds the etchant more than a smooth surface does. That being said, I've never bothered sanding ahead of time. The first etch/polish cycle will rough the surface up enough that future cycles will work fine.
 
Dave Rishar said:
A satin finish probably works better, as it holds the etchant more than a smooth surface does. That being said, I've never bothered sanding ahead of time. The first etch/polish cycle will rough the surface up enough that future cycles will work fine.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the info.
 
Thats awesome Dave. Perfect heat treat. Neat knife too. I got the R4, and love it.
 
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