Spring temper

[John L]

The search is not working for me and am wondering about spring temper in 1095 for folders. 600 for an hr after a 1475 hardening sound right? What should Rockwell be for springs? If using stainless components oin a folder what SS would be considered best for the spring? thanks

 

[LRB]

The best way I have found using 1095 is as follows. After hardening, heat a lead bath, I use about 5 lbs, just to the point it completely melts. Remove the heat source, and sink the spring to the bottom using a wire attachment. Let the lead cool. Then reheat, the spring will float to the top. Remove immediately, and you have a spring. I harden after a short soak at red orange heat. It helps clean up to smoke the spring before placing in the lead. Perhaps not scientificly correct, but it works for me.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Bill Moran taught me his trick.He would take the hardened spring and place it in a shallow pan with 1/4" of kerosene in the bottom.He would place the pan on the forge coals.In a few moments it would catch fire.When the last flame went out he removed the spring from the pan and cooled it off.He has made them that way for over 50 years.He said most of those springs are still working today.
Stacy

 

[M Wadel]

im just guessing here but springs.. 45hrc maybe, i found some info in a victorinox thread, it said how all the parts were hardened in a sak, cant find it now tho. a good ss for springs.. low alloyed low carbon ss i suppose maybe 12c27 or aeb-l/13c26 would be good or 12c27mod