Testing high-carbon steel

S

Sprayman

Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
257
Hello, knife makers:

I have a leftover piece of high-carbon steel. I forgot to mark it when I used most of it, and cannot remember if it's 1084 or 1095. Is there a way I can test that?

Thanks
 
If you have 11 second or some other slow quench oil, 1095 likely won't harden in it, at least not fully, but 1084 will.
 
kuraki said:
If you have 11 second or some other slow quench oil, 1095 likely won't harden in it, at least not fully, but 1084 will.
Click to expand...
how do you mean not fully?
even If the oil is warm?
I thought this forum hashed this 1095 issue out in Mar of this year.....?
or is it just the thin material is ok?
 
HSC /// said:
how do you mean not fully?
even If the oil is warm?
I thought this forum hashed this 1095 issue out in Mar of this year.....?
or is it just the thin material is ok?
Click to expand...

Not fully - not full hardness. I'm under the impression heated canola is about the slowest quench that will get 1095 to full RC? Maybe I am wrong.
 
If you have clay or furnace cement you could try to hamon a piece or make a hardening line real quick. The 1095 will be a lot more defined.
 
Try to overheat 2 small comparison samples and quench them into brine. Give them a keen edge and compare the edge retention.
The "mushier" edge will be 1095, due to RA.
I cannot swear on it but a spark test for 1095 could be more "bushy" than 1084
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top