Surface decarburization or knife ruined?

[sniarb]

I just hardened my second ever knife in a makeshift charcoal forge, and after struggling with getting an even heat across the blade, I ended with a bubbling pattern across part of the blade. I believe this is a sign of decarburization, but I do not know if it only effects the surface, similar to scale, or if the entire edge is decarbonized and ruined. Any insight from some more experienced knife-makers?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

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Don't worry about your blade - sand/grind the blade down to the hard steel and finish the knife. Surface effects are normal...and pretty much unavoidable in a charcoal forge HT.





I never understand why people worry about what the blade looks like when it cones out of the quench/HT/temper. It has been heated up, rapidly cooled, heated and held for long periods. dipped in all sorts of stuff, etc. .... and they expect it to look exactly like it did when they started HT?????

If you go do an Ironman challenge, go on a mud run, of spend a week camping/hiking ... in do you expect your body and clothes to look the same when you come home?

 

[sniarb]

Thank you for the reply!

I wasn't too worried about the looks - my first knife cleaned up nicely after HT and I'm sure this one will too. Being a novice, I was just unsure to what extent the decarb affected the steel. I've heard before that it can change the carbon content in the entirety of the steel rather than just the surface, so I worried that that may of been what happened.

I'm relieved to hear this isn't the case!