Stone Texturing, Before or After Heat Treating?

[Moses_3]

Hi All,

I am looking to make my first knife, and I want to do that stone (knapped) finish. I was wondering if I should do it before or after heat treating, what do you think?
Pre-heat treating will be easier and use less abrasives (I know I am supposed to treat them like they are free... but I just can't, yet). Post-heat treating will keep the 1/4" AEB-L I have chosen a more consistent thickness, reducing the chances of temperature differentials (if this matters), does it matter? Thanks in advance for your help, and for this forum, I have been reading a ton!
FWIW, I tried a search before posting and didn't find any results, but if this is out there and well covered, sorry for the clutter post.

 

[REK Knives]

Do it after

 

[Hengelo_77]

I'd say before

 

[Cliff Carter Knives]

After, especially if you’re looking for consistency in your finish.

 

[REK Knives]

After, especially if you’re looking for consistency in your finish.

And don't want as many warping issues

 

[Taz]

AEB-L still grinds easily, even after hardening, I would do it after. If you do it before and plate quench, there will be little air pockets all over and it may not harden evenly?

 

[Contender Machine]

After. As said it wouldn’t heat treat as nicely and will be more likely to warp. The quench plates would likely flatten the peaks as well.

 

[Moses_3]

Thank you all very much for your replies and information. I had kind of been hoping to use some of the color change from heat treat to darken the lower points of the texturing (as I don't have any blackener - I have heard good things about Caswell for darkening stainless steels), but function comes before form. I will have to figure out another way to darken the steel in a cost effective way. Thanks again!

 

[Cliff Carter Knives]

You can etch stainless in diluted ferric, it just takes longer.