want to learn how to temper {on a budget}.

[Stephen-0]

I have some basic knowledge and I can shape a blade [ stock removal], I would like 2 know how to temper on a budget. Spyderco has alot of info, I don't understand it all, though. Do I need a heat treat oven? Or are there other, and for me, cheaper ways, to obtain a good temper?
Basically I cannot afford the oven.

 

[Will Leavitt]

Well this is going to get moved.....

You can send blades out to be heat treated to various knife suppliers or a dedicated heat treater like Paul Bos. There may be someone close to you that could do the heat treat if you informed people of where you live.

What type of steel? If you wish to do your own Heat Treating at home then I would highly recommend using something like 1084 or 1095. You can simply use an oxy/acetelyne torch or make a simple forge and use charcoal, a piece of pipe for a tuyere and a simple air source like a hair dryer.

Tempering can be done in your kitchen oven, heat treating cannot.

 

[AfterTFD]

If I remember right Texas knifemaker's supply also does heat treating.

 

[SteelSlaver]

This will get sent to the makers forum. But, you can do a decent job of tempering the simpler steels with a oxy/act torch or a very small simple homemade forge using a small propane torch. Go to makers and start reading. You need to be able to get to about 1450-1550f depending on steel to harden. To temper a toaster oven or regular oven will work at about 400f.