There are a few things you need to know about how to heat treat steel for knife making. First, you need to keep in mind that a tempering temperature will reduce the corrosion resistance of the steel. Another thing you need to consider is that the process of heating and cooling will result in brittleness, so you need to use a proper tempering method.
Overheating during heat treatment
If you are a knife smith, you should be familiar with the heat treatment process. It is important to learn how to avoid overheating. Overheating is a result of too much heat during the grinding process. This can lead to burning and distortion.
There are two types of heat treatment. One involves heating steel to a non-magnetic state. The other involves selectively heating the bevel area. For this purpose, you can use oxyacetylene torches and forges.
Heat treatment is used for hardening and annealing steel. During the process, there are several factors that affect the outcome of the burning and overheating. These include the steel’s composition and temperature, as well as the reagent used.
Generally, the steel’s overheating temperature depends on the amount of carbon and sulfur in the steel. It is less prone to overheating if the steel is vacuum-remelted.
Non-plate assisted air-hardening
Non-plate assisted air-hardening of steel for knife making is a great way to reduce brittleness and improve toughness. This method produces a blade that is hard enough to resist breaking, but is still malleable enough to allow for a fine finish.
A good quality electric heat-treating oven will help you to achieve consistent temperatures and hardness. You can also do your own heat treating, but keep in mind that you need to be careful to prevent damage to the blade.
The process involves heating the steel to a non-magnetic temperature and quenching the metal to a lower temperature. During this process, the grain structure changes, changing the composition of the entire plate. It is a very hard process and is known as martensite.
Cryogenic treatment
Cryogenic treatment of steel for knife making is an effective way to increase the life of your blade. This process increases its hardness and wear resistance. Compared to other methods, it is less expensive and safer to implement. It can be used on many metals and alloys.
It is also important to note that the benefits of this technique do not stop with the manufacturing of your blade. Using it in your business operations will improve efficiency and reduce your downtime.
The process is called cryogenic treating and it involves cooling parts to a temperature below a hundred degrees Fahrenheit. This freezing procedure increases the atomic composition of the metal and increases its toughness.
The temperature at which the process is performed is a function of the type of steel being treated. In general, a colder temperature is beneficial to iron and cast iron, while aluminum and copper benefit from higher temperatures.
Tempering temperatures will result in brittleness and reduced corrosion resistance
Heat treatments are used to strengthen metals such as steel, brass, bronze, aluminum, and titanium alloys. They have many benefits, including improving strength, reducing brittleness, enhancing corrosion resistance, and reducing stress. However, some heat treatments produce undesirable mechanical properties.
There are three different types of heat treatments: case hardening, annealing, and tempering. Each method produces a different outcome. A low temperature is usually recommended for maximum corrosion resistance, while a high temperature is best for maximum wear resistance.
During heat treatment, the crystalline structure of the metal changes. This results in a softer matrix, a tougher spine, and less brittle edges. It also reduces the ability of the blade to be splintered or dented.
The best knives have a hard, fine-grained edge. This makes it easier to cut through a material and prevents the edge from breaking.
Paul Farner’s love of heat treat at Buck Knives
If you’re a fan of the good ol’ days, you may have stumbled across Paul Farner’s name. In fact, Farner was a key player in the company’s heat treat department, and was responsible for the fancy-pants o’ the day. As it turns out, Farner isn’t the only ‘heat treat’ aficionado at Buck.
While Paul Farner isn’t exactly a youngster anymore, he’s still got the man o’ steel. He has been a part of the company for more than a decade and his work in the heat treat department is no exception. When it comes to figuring out what makes a quality blade, he’s got the goods.
The most important aspect of the job is the quality of the end product. After being introduced to the world of heat treatment in the mid-’80s, Farner became a dedicated heat treat enthusiast. Not only did he enjoy the challenge of learning the trade, he also made some very smart friends along the way. This included former co-workers and Buck executives.