Throwing Knife

[Themilkman]

Hi,
I recently forged a throwing knife from a Bellota farrier rasp. My question is that should I heat treat it and if so what color or temp temper? Also should I do this to the entire think or only the blade? Lastly what is a good choice for a handle besides a wrap and having no handle? Thanks

 

[P.Brewster]

Temper to a deep purple or beyond - you want something in the 40 to 52 RC range. For O1 steel, this would require a 900°F temper. For 1095 it would be closer to 700°F. Treat the entire knife.

 

[Themilkman]

Ok thanks. Gonna fire up the forge today to make a neck knife from the other piece of the file and I will plan on hardening and maybe temper the throwing knife in the forge. If I turn off the airflow in the forge then plop the knife on top the. Hot coal, will it give me a more controlled temper? Thanks

 

[P.Brewster]

will it give me a more controlled temper?

I'm not sure; I use an oven. Perhaps the best solution is to temper in your kitchen oven at the highest setting for 2 hours. Then bring it to the forge and try to push it to a higher temp.

 

[Greykilt]

I like paracord wraps for throwers as it adds very little weight and easily replaced...