W1 knife plan

brets-ftw

brets-ftw

Joined
Sep 11, 2010
Messages
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So I have a few old 14" files in need of a new job, and me being the wannabe blacksmith i am would like to make them into a few knives the plan is to pound them into shape and have a rat tail tang and a nice 6" chisel ground tanto and then use the materials around the shop (the shop is in a scout ranch in north texas) so materials like red deer antler, leather, and Mesquite will most likely be used and i would make a handle similar to the one ray mears made here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9phlDH4h-eU

now one of the problems ive run into is who is gunna HT the blade, i have no idea what the turn around time would be from any professional, and i would not honestly trust myself doing it. but id like to have this whole project done within a month so how can i get this done?

thanks for all questions and comments

Brets-ftw
 
well i do have a forge, but i dont have a proper thermometer to gauge the heat. of course ive always been a fan of the infamous "just wing it" plan :D
 
With the files you really won't need a thermometer. Heat them until they are no longer magnetic and quench in an oil bath. After quenching you can temper in a standard oven ~350 degrees F for about 2 hours.

You will need to anneal them and normalize them in the same way minus the oven temper.
 
A more "precise" method for forge heat treating W1 is to use Kosher Salt. after your normalization heats, sprinkle a line of salt on the blade and put it the fire. when the salt starts to melt fast your at 1475º - 1500º F the perfect quench temp for 1095-W1 steel.

Jason
 
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thanks for the info guys its been really helpful now i just have to wait and see how itll turn out, im sure pics will come
 
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