Still searching for the hamon

[razormaker]

I have a few attempts at the hamon line, without success. I am beginning to think it is my blade. I am trying the forged 52100. I can see the line after heat treat but after I do the final grinding it disappears. I followed the guidelines posted by Ryan W Knives but no luck. I have used both Ferric Chloride and hot vinegar.

Is it the steel or am I still not doing the right procedure?

 

[anvilring]

Are you edge quenching? or a total quench? quenching the entire blade? To get a hamon, you must either use a clay hardning technique, or edge quench; i.e. heat up just what's to be the cutting edge, and then quench the entire blade. When you use the edge quench technique, you get this:

[/url]DSC09749

This is a little 4" puukko I just made in 1095 and it's been edged quenched. Here's some more pix of the little knife, had I dipped it out in feric chloride, it would really stand out.

A little slide show, you can see the hamon more clearly is some of the other pix.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/19089828@N00/22599339579/in/album-72157660389525577/lightbox/

regards, m

 

[brettn]

It's the steel. You typically only get hamons on shallow hardening steels such as 10xx, w2, etc. I don't think you can get one on 52100

 

[bettydoesbobka]

Hey Anvilring!

Good looking knife bud. Next time I'll keep it handy if our payroll department is late - Just an idea

 

[anvilring]

Thanks bdb! It's just a little test knife. I've never made a puukko before. That cutting edge all the way to the handle face, and no hand guard make for a "user beware" little work knife. I'm going to sell this for belt money but I do like the look of'em.

m

 

[anvilring]

brettn, don't tell Ed Fowler that.... all he uses is 52100!

All edge quenched.

 

[samuraistuart]

52100 will produce a differential hardening line....not a hamon. See pic above ^ (Especially when you only edge quench)