Tru Grit/Jeff Mutz heat treat question (first post with new account)

Nate Webb

Nate Webb

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Hey all. This is my first post on this new account. I went by Metalhead0483 for over a decade, but had to change because of an email account issue. At least this way I get to use a real name. Silver linings...

Question. Does anyone have any experience with Jeff Mutz's heat treating service through Tru Grit? Especially concerning turnaround times. I mailed a half dozen AEB-L blanks to him in early March. I got receipt confirmation from on April 3rd, and haven't heard a peep since. I've sent a couple emails asking for updates and haven't heard anything back. I'm not an impatient person, and I know heat treating places are generally backed up these days, but I get nervous after a couple of months wait without any feedback, especially when your order form estimates 3-14 days turnaround from receipt.

Does that sound normal? If it is, I'll settle back and be patient. It's just the longest I've ever waited for blades out for heat treat.
 
I think all the HT services are very backed up - several months for most.
A phone call is the best way to check. Emails just don't get checked and responded to when everyone is busy.
 
If you hear back, please let us know how it goes. He is within driving distance to me so I am seriously considering using his service. I have been considering him and Jarods. I know Jarod just got another oven.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I think all the HT services are very backed up - several months for most.
A phone call is the best way to check. Emails just don't get checked and responded to when everyone is busy.
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That's sort of what I figured Stacy, but I have tried calling a couple of times and haven't had any luck that way either. I guess I'm just going to have to stand by and hope for the best...

RobMofSD said:
If you hear back, please let us know how it goes. He is within driving distance to me so I am seriously considering using his service. I have been considering him and Jarods. I know Jarod just got another oven.
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I've always used JT myself. I figured I'd try something new this time around. I guess we'll see what we'll see...
 
Here is a thread from a little while ago about this. Big change from 2016 to 2020 to 2022:

Tru Grit Heat Treating

I am wondering how many people here have used Tru Grits Heat Treating and if there have been any issues with the results.
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
I've never used Tru Grit heating treating, but I buy ALL my abrasives (and other stuff) from them. Their customer service has always been top-flight. Sounds like something went south in your case. Definitely worth reaching out by phone. I've never had calls not returned or been shunted to an answering service. Fingers crossed things haven't changed.
 
My understanding is the heat treat shop is separate from the abrasive side of the house even though they are under the Trugrit name. So the customer service of one side doesn't necessarily cross over to the other. Like most, abrasive purchases are hassle free, with immediate calls if something is out of stock. Like others, my personnel experience several years ago with the heat treat side was poor with long long waits, run around on when they would be treated. Some local to them seem to have better experiences with the heat treat.

I've had much better luck with small batches at JT. As someone else said, the experience prompted me to get small used kiln suitable for carbon steel which I think has helped me in general as a maker.
 
Hey all, I realized I never updated this post, and I feel I need to.

I did finally get my order back from Jeff in June after having to call Tru-Grit's main office and asking the guys directly. Jeff called me that afternoon and was all apologies. In his words the order was received and then slipped through the cracks. Anyway, I got my blanks back within a week of that conversation, and credit where it's due, the heat treat was very solid.

Based on my conversation I figured I'd give them another shot, so a week and a half ago I mailed off six 1/16" AEB-L steak knife blanks, along with an 11.5" 26C3 yanagiba blank. To my pleasure I heard back from Tru-Grit within the week that my order was done and ready to ship back. That's about the time Jeff told me was normal turnaround during our last conversation.

It's on it's way back to me now, so I can't comment on the product yet, but the turnaround time was spectacular this time, as was the communication and the price. Maybe my experience last time really was a fluke. I guess we'll see...

Anyway. Just figured it was worthy of an update.
 
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Always did my own HT but decided to use TruGrit and they were fast, professional and did a first rate work.
No I don't work for them but will use them again for sure
 
I can't remember....are they the place that does everything the same HRC?

Or can you get custom levels, tempers, and cryo?


*nice knife
 
Texas Knife heat treats to the same HRC, no matter the steel.

Bos was VERY fast on my last order. 26 blades, 4 different steels(9AEB-L, Nitro V, Magnacut and S90V). UPS dropped the package off on Thursday, the next Thursday or Friday I got a call from Bos HTwith the amount, paid over the phone by CC and they were at my house that Monday afternoon in CT from Idaho.
 
If you phone call them Monday to Friday, during their business hours, they always answer the phone right away. I've never had a phone call go to automation, always reaching a live person. That is super rare these days. My experience, non-heat-treat has been top notch.
 
Taz said:
Texas Knife heat treats to the same HRC, no matter the steel.

Bos was VERY fast on my last order. 26 blades, 4 different steels(9AEB-L, Nitro V, Magnacut and S90V). UPS dropped the package off on Thursday, the next Thursday or Friday I got a call from Bos HTwith the amount, paid over the phone by CC and they were at my house that Monday afternoon in CT from Idaho.
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Do you mean they only use one oven setting, everyone gets the same process?
I don't understand...
 
When I contacted TKS recently, I asked if I could have steel tempered to 60 HRC and the reply was a flat no. They only temper to 58 HRC is what I was told. I have no idea if their temper oven only does one temperature or if they change that temperature for each steel to hit 58 HRC. They used to have a Heat Treating page on their site, but now I just see a heat treat form and no page with more details.

Also, they Heat Treat on Tuesdays and Cryo is on Wednesday. Cryo should be done quickly after heat treating, so doing it the next day may not reap many benefits if at all. It is supposed to be a continuation of the quenching process, not as an afterthought the next day.

I will not use TKS for heat treating for those 2 reasons.
 
Taz said:
When I contacted TKS recently, I asked if I could have steel tempered to 60 HRC and the reply was a flat no. They only temper to 58 HRC is what I was told. I have no idea if their temper oven only does one temperature or if they change that temperature for each steel to hit 58 HRC. They used to have a Heat Treating page on their site, but now I just see a heat treat form and no page with more details.

Also, they Heat Treat on Tuesdays and Cryo is on Wednesday. Cryo should be done quickly after heat treating, so doing it the next day may not reap many benefits if at all. It is supposed to be a continuation of the quenching process, not as an afterthought the next day.

I will not use TKS for heat treating for those 2 reasons.
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That's crazy... 😳
 
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