Tempering 1095?

S

Sprayman

Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
257
Hello, Bladesmiths;

I'm going to heat treat a skinner I've made out of 1095. At what oven temp, and for how long, should I temper it after the quench?

I understand that 1095 can be a bit trickier to heat treat--I've had some good results with it, and some not so good. I normally work 1084 and do well with it, but since I have this piece of 1095, I'm going to do the best I can with my basic 2-brick forge.

Thanks,

Sprayman
 
Austenitize at 1475 for 10 minute and quench in fast oil - Parks #50 or equivalent.
Temper at 400F for 1 hour, cool to room temp ( just stick in water) and temper a second gour at 400F.
Should be Rc61.
 
Thanks for the reply, Stacy.

I don't have a thermometer in my forge, so I don't know how I would keep it at a certain temp for 10 minutes. I normally just use the magnet test. Any advice there?
 
With my kiln, I get Rc62/63 with that protocol, but there’s less precision in a forge, so Stacy’s numbers are realistic for that equipment.
 
If using just a magnet, heat the blade with the forge running as low as it will run and be stable. Use a reducing flame if possible. Heat and check the magnetic attraction of the blade as it starts getting red. Test on both the edge area as well as the main bevel. When the edge doesn't stick any more, heat to one shade brighter red (about 50 degrees hotter) and quench when it is evenly at that color. Avoid letting the edge get a lot hotter.brighter than the rest. It is the 1/4" to 1/2" above the edge you really want to watch for color, anyway.
 
Sprayman said:
Thanks for the reply, Stacy.

I don't have a thermometer in my forge, so I don't know how I would keep it at a certain temp for 10 minutes. I normally just use the magnet test. Any advice there?
Click to expand...
Blade is soaking as it comes up to temp in a forge, fire heats the steel to the core much faster than kiln heat. Bring it up to temp and hold until you are comfortable that the blade is fully and evenly heated and quench that girl imo.
Good luck
-Trey
 
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