quenching a thin knife

[Davis]

Fellas,

I am dog tired, been here reading and replying and basically having fun for an hour and haven't posted that ..drum roll ..... tonight I heat-treated and quenched 2 *on my own / no help at all* and both are just fine.

Hung up a found-horseshoe first thing, used 150F penut oil, pointed their points North; files skate on these edges. Yes'm, they do ....
Two one-hour draws in the broiler, 450F.

Anybody else feel totally high after their first *SUCCESSFUL* heat-treat? Wow, it's like that first forged knife that worked, y'know...

Thanks every one you, you guys are great..
I will be getting some pics up tomorrow night....

... Dana, you have mail. *g*

'night all,
Trish

[Dana Acker]

Understand and appreciate the "high" you described, very much so, Trish. Making a working blade (that is, a blade that has everything it needs to work--ie., made correctly, not necessarily a style or type) is indeed a wonderment. Many take it for granted. If I ever lose that, I'll quit. The sense of achievement, and the exhilaration that comes from having done it right is a good feeling--a good high. Congratulations. And you know what? It just keeps getting better. Honest.

[Dana Acker]

Talking about highs, when you temper the blade, you know you're getting there when you can say, "OOOOO, dig the colors...."


Sorry, couldn't resist.

I get the best rush from forging and heat treating... just heat treated a new bush, and got that rainbow effect again. I'm searching for the zebra stripes. I think they are there. Those things are new. The only thing I've done different is, testing the "vibrations" of the quenching medium. Reality is stranger than fiction.

[Phillip Jones]

Trish,
It is a good feeling when things go right.
Looking forward to seeing the pics.

Hey Tai,
Does that make twice in a row now?
Were you using the same steel for both?

[Davis]

Yep, it is, Philip. *g*

Learned a thing today, a blade can warp 2 days after it's been heat treated and tempered. Hmm, a "do-over" They say 1095 is a forgiving steel. No pings so do 'em again.

A question.. can glazed porcelain or ceramic be used to quench? In high school I worked in a ceramic shop (who knew kiln, temp and cone knowledge would come in handy) and there are all these uh, vessels--yeah that's a good word-- knocking around here.... and I love trying things.

Anyone?

Trish

Yeah, twice in a row, same steel (1065). I tried to do it this time, not sure how, just what.

I know what I did, that's about all.