The 1075 blade hardened

Milt

Milt

Joined
Nov 16, 2008
Messages
260
Greetings group-
A couple of weeks ago I started a thread about a 1/4" thick 1075 blade that would not harden. Many guys weighed in, and provided me with much useful information.

I made another attempt at the big blade, and also acquired some Parks 50 from Maxim. The blade hardened! However, some advice is still necessary. The edge got very hard, but the thick tang did not. This, of course, is not bad. Sanding is a lot easier!!!!
I normalized once at 1600, let it cool, then brought it up to 1500 and soaked it for 9 minutes. The tang tested at RC 50. I could not test the edge accurately without shimming the blade on the tester's table, so I just used the file test. It just skated along the edge. I could also tell that it was good when I went to sharpen it. It took a good edge, but not without some effort.
My main question is how long of a soak should I have given it, or was what I did OK?

This was my first attempt at a large blade and first with 1/4" stock. I am happy with the outcome, and feel I met the specs I was given by customer.

Photo attached- comments surely appreciated.


Details-
2" wide, 1/4" thick 1075
11.75" OL
Ironwood scales (I think)
1/8" brass pins and a 1/4" tube

Milt
 

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  • Bigblade.jpg
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I'm thinking if you got 50 at the spine and a good bit harder on the edge, you did allright. Knife looks good.
 
Did it test 50 on the tang or on the ricasso? Did it RC at that after or before tempering?

I try to test at the ricasso if the blade is already ground. The tang wouldn't surprise me, depending on how it was quenched, but if it's 50RC at the ricasso you might not be as hard as you'd expect on the edge.
 
My guess is, that you very likely did well. 1075 is not all that demanding, and should harden well without a lot of effort. It needs only a very few minutes of soak.
 
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