Made up a couple of templates, first two choices so far. Nessmuk type one has a pretty small handle and may change that up a little
Well the quench plates combined with compressed air was a success, managed to get from 1920F+ down to 220F inside the two minute window. Actually had to be below 1100F so there should be no problems with the quench. Oh yea knife is AEB-l 1/8" thick, heat treating per http://alphaknifesupply.com/zdata-bladesteelS-AEBL.htm http://alphaknifesupply.com/Pictures/Info/Steel/13C26-DS.pdf And like last time one blade just had to warp so they are now all clamped between two pieces of 1x6x24 bar stock until they go into the furnace for tempering.
Hey John, what are you using for quench plates? I've found that plate quenching with 1/2" copper plates and the blade is cool to handle, (50°C or so) in less than a minute. I have never tried aluminum. But heard of guy's using 1" alum plates. I know there is a difference in thermal donducticity, maybe we can study that in knifemaker terms. Got any pics? Dan
All the shop had was steel flat bar not the best choice but considering the low volume of the blade blanks and using compressed air things cooled quickly. Once they get in aluminum I will be using 1x6x24 flat bar for quench plates. the only catch is that aluminum will be slightly damaged by the heat but should be easily cleaned up and last a few years.
all shaped and heat treated, little guy is the entry knife. Although the one above it is also a nice size. forgot to try and bend the blades and hit with a file, back to the shop Still have two more similar to the entry knife that will each have a slightly different handle. That is for the next furnace run on the weekend.
Steel quench plates were a total and complete failure. Steel is actually softer than the as rolled condition from the supplier so back into the furnace they go, next round will be oil quenched since it seems to work much better.
Nice shapes. I have noticed that oil quenched stainless seems to get harder than plate quench by 1 or 2 points as quenched. I now do all my AEB-L in oil.
Only the smallest two knives had any spring too them and larger two bent easily. Started to get concerned about the ones I did in oil so out back for a flex and chop test. One unfinished one chopped and flexed well, snapped in half at the first pin hole. rough sanding mark right at the failure point so into the scrap bin. Other three flexed nicely and did wonders on a piece of wood in the back yard with no edge folding or chipping. They seem to be good to go and hardness numbers were reasonable for the tester I was using (hates thin metal) even when clamped to a larger plate. Going to have to order some files or something for hardness testing in the future. I like the shape, started with a straight handle then changed up to a 5 degree kink. Finger bumps come and go all depending on how I feel about them on a particular day.
Large knife still has no spring to it. Left in the foil wrap and quenched in oil, will take a shape if bent. Others all seem to be nice stiff and flexible and will try a hardness test after the two quench cycles.
I have not forgot the project things just moving real slow with a gimp wing. will post pictures later of the blade all nice and shiny and plan on casting a couple of molds this weekend for making my own wood/resin scales
Got some use of the arm back and went to town this weekend. When you have three bins of handle material it does not make the selection easier handle finish is at 400 grit and buffed, this creates a satin feel. Still tempted to take it up to 1000 grit and polish for real shiny knife. Something of a surprise happened when I lightly polished the steel in the handle area after sanding. The Alumilite resin is just clear enough that the steel reflects light back through the material and it looks pretty good. the dark spot has a bit of a void that did not fill correctly, thinking I will have to mix up some resin and fill it so it does not trap junk in the future. Really wish it was visible before I glued everything together but what can you do.
I might have to measure the knife, just noticed the one I selected and the one I finished are not the same. Not sure what happened to the smaller one now ??
