Slight warp??

[viral]

I have recently started making knives, Im pretty new to it but I have been using rudimentary techniques and tools. I have been using files and jigs and stuff. Im getting nice bevels and all. I bought my steel from aldos and it came with slight waves. I have done my best to straighten it but I cannot get it perfect. Then i go to heat treat and I open up a whole new can of worms. What I have been noticing is once I heat treat I get slight bends. I dont know exactly how to fix it. On the last one I did it warped right at point where the handle ends and the blade begins. I do not have an anvil, but I have a nice sized I beam that is flat. I use a tiny little customized fire brick forge with mapp gas and propane. Maybe there is an easy way to fix both of these issues, I'm at a loss.

 

[zhyla]

I got some .07" stock from Aldo that had a moderate twist. I asked them about it and they said when it cut it down it will remove some stress that caused the twist and will flatten out.

Post heat treat, there's lots that's been written on that here that you can search. One method is to clamp it to a straight piece of steel and temper it that way.

 

[i4Marc]

It would be nice if all our steel arrived laser straight but that is not realistic. One of the best tools I purchased was a 20 ton shop press. I got it on sale at Harbor Freight. you can pick them up around $150. Among other uses, I use it to straighten out bent and warped steel bars prior to starting a blade. You can use a three point setup in a big vise also to help straighten out your steel.