heat treat knife blade

[paintman]

im not sure what these colors mean.440 c stainless,forged redhot in the pit,squenched in cold water,2 houres in oven at 450,slow cool??

[Bjankowski]

Paintman;Heat treating 440c is a complete different animal than high carbon steel. With high carbon steel the heat treating process is not as critical as maintaining heat temperatures like it is for stainless.

To heat treat stainless, place it into the oven and heat slowly to between 1,400 and 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the temperature to increase more than 400 degrees per hour. Hold the blade at 1,400 to 1,450 degrees for one hour and then heat the blade as quickly as possible to between 1,850 and 1,950 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold this temperature for 30 minutes. Remove the blade from the oven and allow it to completely cool in still, room-temperature air. As soon as the blade is cool, place it in the oven and heat it to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold it at that temperature for one hour. Remove the blade from the oven and allow it to cool completely in still, room temperature air.

[Bucksaw]

Wow, i didnt realize it was such a different process. Im glad I use high carbon. Its more Poor-boy friendly.

[Bjankowski]

Wow, i didnt realize it was such a different process. Im glad I use high carbon. Its more Poor-boy friendly.

It's not only Poor Boy friendly; it's also great steel for a knife. If tempered right it's hard steel to beat. 1095, 51200 ball bearing steel and 5160 are my favorites.

It's best to master one type of steel before bouncing around to others.