Heat Treating with an Oven

[mrbobsparks]

I want to get into knife making but do not have access to a furnace. I read that you only need tempuratures of 350-450. Do y'all knife makers out there think I can use an oven to heat treat a knife?

[simsknives]

Definitely not, you're going to need temperatures between 1500-1900 for most steels. You can temper with a traditional oven but even then you are limited.

[Razorback01]

There are a few backyard heat treat videos on YouTube. Not the best, but they work.

[Bvallet]

Some places will heat treat for you. That way you can get started without having to buy an oven for your heat-treat.

[kmitchl]

Talk to the folks at Texas Knifemaker Supply near I10 and the west Sam Houston. I know they offered this service at one time. I'm not a knife maker but I routinely harden 1095 with a torch and quench in oil or water. Then temper in a kitchen oven. I'm sure having a temp controlled oven is the way the pros do it.

[Kevin Smith]

Stainless needs to get about 1900 and be held there for 20 minutes or so. Carbon needs to get to about 1500 or non- magnetic. You can temper in a household oven, but not heat treat.

[Jermdog01]

Don't Do It!!!!!! Knife making is a serious addiction and there is no known 12 step program to cure it, unless you count the steps to build a knife and there a few more than that! LOL good luck with a future habbit.

[argel55]

You need an oven for temperatures from 1475 to 2050. High carbon stainless depending on their make up demand high temps with holding period to properly harden. Even the tempering temps must be consistant to make sure.
Good custom knives depend on grinds and heat treat.

[Puggy625]

I'll second contacting Texas Knife. They did mine for a while when I first started. It'll add to the cost of making a knife, but they do good. Temper in a toaster oven that hold an accurate temp.

[Razorback01]

This is a goodun from Jermdog 01- Don't Do It!!!!!! Knife making is a serious addiction and there is no known 12 step program to cure it, unless you count the steps to build a knife and there a few more than that! LOL good luck with a future habbit. Except- habit.

[HoustonR6ryda]

check out the small crucibles and fournaces on youtube