Unknown Steel -Heat treat Ideas?

D

D_Golden

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Sep 6, 2012
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Hello all, was about to get into making knives about three plus years ago then due to a move wasn't able to get back to it until about a week ago. So here's my issue. I purchased some decent blade steel back then and today cut out my profile but then I realized I have no clue what type of steel it is. Is there a "standard" heat treat/temper process i could use? I'm not really expecting the best mostly it's just good practice for the next knife. Appreciate any advice.

-Darrell
 
Was it stainless or carbon steel? Spark test it.
If carbon, run it 1475, 5 min soak, fast oil, and see what happens.
If stainless, try foil packet, 1900, 15 min soak, air cool, and see what happens.

Of course, the real answer is to have it tested, then you'll know for sure.
 
Do you recall; Where you got it and how much it cost? Also what size did you get?
 
Thanks jkf, I'll give that a try.

Bo... It was like 3 years ago when I got the steel. I've tried to remember but I can't recall.
 
I think I'll clarify a little. If you have a hardness tester, you can dial it in using basically what I advised above and then tuning your tempering temperatures to get the hardness you are looking for. If you have a temp controlled kiln, you can also tweak your austentizing temps to see if you get better results. If you don't have a hardness tester, it's a crapshoot. If you don't have temp control, it's also a crapshoot. I like the investigative process, and I am fairly confident I can get a good result, but there is nothing about that process that is time effective or cost effective.
 
I do have a scrap knife that I made out of the same steel. I managed to get my paint can forge up today, so on my next days off I'm going to do a test to see where I'm at. Honestly, I need my grinding practice so a finished knife is pretty far off. I'm just excited to have a place to do work.
 
Sand the scrap knife with 120 grit paper, and stick it in a bucket of water. Take it out and wait ten minutes. If it shows rust, it is most likely carbon steel. A quick dip in FC will also tell one from another.
 
If you are sure it's plain carbon steel and are using a paint can forge, then I really wouldn't worry about doing anything other than heating it just past non-magnetic and quenching in warmed oil.

If you want to get fancy, run it through a few (grain refining)normalizing cycles at reducing temperatures from bright red, red and finally, dull red. You can do this after forging, before grinding or after grinding just before the final quench.
 
Tks Rick, "Fancy" isn't me. Once (and if) I get it finished by this weekend I'll post some picks.
 
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