Wrinkle in 5160 steel.

E

Eighty6ed

Joined
Oct 18, 2017
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So I got a question for the 5160 aficionados in the room. Making a hunter from 1/4" thick 5160 bar stock, stock removal only. Shape cut, bevels done, and surface finished to 500 grit. Did the heat treat in 130°ish canola oil. HT twice (bright orange just above non-magnetic) because I wasn't satisfied with the file test. Tempered twice for 1 hour at 375-400°.
That done, ground off the scale and started on the finish and along the spine, back by the ricasso, there are some shallow ripples running parallel to the spine. I didn't see the defect before HT. Is anyone familiar with this happening? There are only 3-5 ripples/wrinkles per side.
Is this only going to be a cosmetic problem to try and cover up with a patina and flat finish or is my steel toast?
 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jtpRuRS_4xe2nqii1B4nd68Lh4bemyA9/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iUQDpUM1dhfzpKTGi6LVUhMgbIFe-WBJ/view?usp=drivesdk
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That is from coarse grit grinding done pre-HT. It often gets accentuated during HT .... which is why you need all that cleaned up before HT. I wouldn't worry about it if it is covered by the scales.
 
Ok. That's a new one but that's all in the learning I spose. They won't be covered by scales unfortunately. They start at the ricasso and move parallel to the spine, most of the length of the blade it's all in the top inch so it's not present in the bevels though.

As long as it won't affect performance, I'm gonna see what I can do with a flat finish and a gray vinegar etch. Hopefully they won't be so visible without a polished finish.
 
Haven't tried. Seeing as they're on exact opposite sides from each other, I was worried it went straight through. Didn't want to risk it till I knew more. If they're soft spots caused by the HT or steel defect, they might just get worse I I try to grind then out.
 
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