Whats the blue mean; if anything?

[NixKustoms]

I got this blank from another board member in trade, and I kinda want to know why the blade blank is blue. So here are pictures. They really don't show how blue it is but that is the best I can do for now.

 

[The Warrior]

Perhaps there was some sort of coating on there to prevent rust.

 

[NixKustoms]

That's what I though....

 

[daizee]

could be the temper color, depending on how it was done. is it already heat-treated?

 

[NixKustoms]

I dont know. I'm hoping Ethan might could tell me somethin' about it.

 

[Skystorm]

It means send it to me because I have no idea what I would do with it.

Heat treat probably

 

[willworship]

From what I understood when I found a 7 blank, that is from the temper job, and it is not yet heat-treated.

 

[Moosez45]

Ethan probably won't know, but I know who will. How about we ask the guy that probably was there when that blank was made.

PHIL GIBBS!!!! WE GOT A QUESTION!!!!!!

See if that brings him in here.

Moose

 

[NixKustoms]

Ethan probably won't know, but I know who will. How about we ask the guy that probably was there when that blank was made.

PHIL GIBBS!!!! WE GOT A QUESTION!!!!!!

See if that brings him in here.

Moose

Alright.

 

[NixKustoms]

It means send it to me because I have no idea what I would do with it.

Heat treat probably

No. do you know how many lambs I had to sacrifice to get this blank.

 

[arcadiaknives]

It's probably some dykem layout fluid still on the blade. That's what it looks like to me. I use the stuff on my blanks to lay out where I'm grinding and profiling. Should come off with acetone or brake cleaner.

 

[RyanW]

hard to tell from your photos, is the entire blade blue or just in the nooks and crannies?

 

[NixKustoms]

It's probably some dykem layout fluid still on the blade. That's what it looks like to me. I use the stuff on my blanks to lay out where I'm grinding and profiling. Should come off with acetone or brake cleaner.

I'll try that.

hard to tell from your photos, is the entire blade blue or just in the nooks and crannies?

it's the whole length of the blade.

 

[Phil Gibbs]

Ethan probably won't know, but I know who will. How about we ask the guy that probably was there when that blank was made.

PHIL GIBBS!!!! WE GOT A QUESTION!!!!!!

See if that brings him in here.

Moose

Way to amplify a hangover Moose!!

OK, here is my take, & you are not going to like it!!

I cannot tell from the pics, sorry.
However, maybe we can figure it out together.

Here is the sequence of operations:

1. Laser cut from strips of 0170-6C
2. Stress Relief (anneal to address heat affected zone from laser cut - basically the laser cutting operation produces a zone of 0.005" - 0.010" around the edge of the part that is VERY HARD!) Without this anneal, stamping the logo & straightening the blade would create micro-cracks (Bad!)
Just ask Uncle Ethan about the first Becker Bush Hogs he tested! :barf:
3. Stamp logo
4. Straighten Blade (level)
5. Harden blade in vat of molten lead (blade is hardened, tang is not)
6. Temper blade
7. Machine grind blade
8. Powder coat blade
9. Assemble handles, sharpen, strop........... yada yada!

(Please note I have simplified the routing by omitting several irrelevant steps of cleaning/degreasing/tumbling/QC etc for clarity)

OK, based on OP's observation of the blade being blue, IMHO it has either completed operation #3(& or 4) or #6.

How can we narrow it down further?

When I look closely at the pics I see what may be residual lead present (especially in the stamp). This of course would imply the blade had been hardened. Try scraping the residue out of the stamp impression, if it falls out easily it is corn cob flakes from tumbling/degreasing; if it is well stuck in there, it is lead.

To hell with opinions, let's test it!

I recommend we test in the edge area of the blade so if we mark it future blade grinding will cover it.
Try filing it with a fine metal file; if the file cuts it, it is soft; if the file squeals & removes nothing it is hard.

Don't have a fine metal file handy?
OK, hit the edge of the blade with a hammer (or back of another Becker, or Smatchet or....) very hard!
If the edge dents, it is soft.
If the fillings in your teeth vibrate out, it is hard! :thumbup:

If you need to be totally certain, ship the blade to me & I will measure the hardness (I bought the Rockwell tester at the auction! )

If I had to bet, I would guess the blade is fully hardened & tempered & ready for grinding.

If I am wrong, I will buy all Beckerheads at Blade a drink.
If I an right, I will buy all Beckerheads at Blade 2 drinks.

 

[Moosez45]

Way to amplify a hangover Moose!!

OK, here is my take, & you are not going to like it!!

I cannot tell from the pics, sorry.
However, maybe we can figure it out together.

Here is the sequence of operations:

1. Laser cut from strips of 0170-6C
2. Stress Relief (anneal to address heat affected zone from laser cut - basically the laser cutting operation produces a zone of 0.005" - 0.010" around the edge of the part that is VERY HARD!) Without this anneal, stamping the logo & straightening the blade would create micro-cracks (Bad!)
Just ask Uncle Ethan about the first Becker Bush Hogs he tested! :barf:
3. Stamp logo
4. Straighten Blade (level)
5. Harden blade in vat of molten lead (blade is hardened, tang is not)
6. Temper blade
7. Machine grind blade
8. Powder coat blade
9. Assemble handles, sharpen, strop........... yada yada!

(Please note I have simplified the routing by omitting several irrelevant steps of cleaning/degreasing/tumbling/QC etc for clarity)

OK, based on OP's observation of the blade being blue, IMHO it has either completed operation #3(& or 4) or #6.

How can we narrow it down further?

When I look closely at the pics I see what may be residual lead present (especially in the stamp). This of course would imply the blade had been hardened. Try scraping the residue out of the stamp impression, if it falls out easily it is corn cob flakes from tumbling/degreasing; if it is well stuck in there, it is lead.

To hell with opinions, let's test it!

I recommend we test in the edge area of the blade so if we mark it future blade grinding will cover it.
Try filing it with a fine metal file; if the file cuts it, it is soft; if the file squeals & removes nothing it is hard.

Don't have a fine metal file handy?
OK, hit the edge of the blade with a hammer (or back of another Becker, or Smatchet or....) very hard!
If the edge dents, it is soft.
If the fillings in your teeth vibrate out, it is hard! :thumbup:

If you need to be totally certain, ship the blade to me & I will measure the hardness (I bought the Rockwell tester at the auction! )

If I had to bet, I would guess the blade is fully hardened & tempered & ready for grinding.

If I am wrong, I will buy all Beckerheads at Blade a drink.
If I an right, I will buy all Beckerheads at Blade 2 drinks.

And that ladies and gentlemen,

Is a Hell Yeah.



Moose

 

[Shotgun]

Is there no chance that it's a slight patina? I get the blue color all the time on my carbon blades. Of course it's usually in conjunction with purple and orange.

 

[Moosez45]

Is there no chance that it's a slight patina? I get the blue color all the time on my carbon blades. Of course it's usually in conjunction with purple and orange.

That was my first though, but since its a blank, heaven only knows what it could be.

My patinas tend to get a bluish tint, with some rainbow effect when its held to the light right.

Sexy.

Moose

 

[Skystorm]

No. do you know how many lambs I had to sacrifice to get this blank.

And you didn't invite me for the bloodletting????

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

@Moose, man you sure can call em in.. NICE!!!!

 

[Moosez45]

@Moose, man you sure can call em in.. NICE!!!!

They didn't just make me a mod here for my looks or how I'm ehung. They did take that stuff into account though.

Moose