Tempering Equipment

[Milt]

Hi Fella's-
My question concerns what you are using for tempering. I harden my blades in a gas kiln, and then temper them in the kitchen oven. I would like to get away from using the oven. I picked up a toaster oven, but it died quickly. It was not an expensive unit. I rally can't afford an electric kiln right now, so any suggestions would be appreciated. I use 1080 and 1095, so I need a unit capable of at least 500 degrees.

Milt

 

[okzj]

A better toaster would work fine. Wrap your blades in aluminum foil in the temper... it acts as a muffle and make for much more even heat on the blades.

That said, the kitchen oven can hold a ton of knives and works great.


ETA: get a thermometer for whatever you're using so you can adjust accordingly.

 

[LRB]

Your kitchen oven is fine. I would suggest you bury the blades in dry sand when you do the temper. The sand holds the heat, and there will be less fluctuation in the heat the blades get when your thermostat cycles. ALSO, use a trusted oven thermometer. DO NOT trust your oven settings for this.

 

[Milt]

I use 2 thermometers in the oven. They both read the same, so I assume they are accurate. I actually had to calibrate the oven, and since it is a newer digital oven, it was possible to do that.

If anyone would care to recommend a specific toaster oven, that would be great.

Milt