Sword Hardening

[Lynn]

Sorry for the use of KnifeList but I wanted to ask "Dangus" a question about how he hardens long steel and couldn't send a private note. Perhaps someone else could comment?
Thanks, Lynn

Subject:Long 5160 steel
From:Lynn Emrich <lynn@dialup.ws>
Date:Fri, 28 Mar 2003 14:29:29 -0500
To:dirgin@yahoo.com

I saw your post on KnifeList about long blades. I have been working with 5160 for a couple of years. I would really like to make some longer blades but the idea of bringing a long blade up to temp evenly intimidates me. Could you give me a hint about how you solve this problem?
What I have been thinking about is to make a horizontal forge (I use a Don Fogg type upright now), suspending a pipe in the center of the forge. The top of the pipe would be cut away leaving a 'U' to be filled with silica sand. This would hopefully allow the whole blade to come up to temperature at the same time. I got the idea of the sand in taking a class with Don Fogg at JC Campbell where he and Chuck (Patrick, I think) used sand in the bottom of the forge.
Thanks, Lynn


Dangus
Basic Member

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Posts: 134

For a long blade, BG-42 and ATS-34 don't even begin to compare. 5160 is a fantastic sword steel, possibly the best there is, at reasonable prices anyway. I'm sure some mega alloy could be made that cost 60 dollars an inch or some craziness like that, but who knows.

 

[ddavelarsen]

I believe the best way to accomplish this would be to build a long salt pot. Don Fogg has info on his at http://www.dfoggknives.com/hightemp.htm and he talks about a long forge specifically designed to heat treat swords at http://www.dfoggknives.com/hightemp.htm . Hope this helps.

What's Knifelist? I tried searching for it on Google and didn't turn anything up. I'm intersted because I see Dangus is an Iowa maker and we're in the process of forming an Iowa Knifemaker's Association. Any help tracking him down would be great.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Lynn]

Thanks for the reply. Just trying to do on the cheap.
Dangus posted on BladeForum at "Shop Talk - BladeSmith Questions and Answers > Does anybody know about 5160 High Carbon Steel?"
I said KnifeList by accident.
Lynn

 

[Epsilon]

You could try the spendy route with some of the equipment I use. See the methodology section on my site. Don's method is far more affordable though. Best of luck.