how to temper a knife without an oven

Call us Email us You could set the oven 75 degrees below your target tempering temperature for the first temper while waiting on your even heat to cool. I like to use a rack to hold my blades edge up in my oven, I made mine by slotting a soft fire brick to hold 5-6 blades at a time. Use and over and heat the blade to approx 350 degrees for three hours. Tempering should be carried out within a reasonable time after hardening, preferably within an hour or so. Usually an 1/8" hole works. The transformation to martensite will otherwise be interrupted and the hardening results may be impaired. Note that if the tempered blade is exposed to temperatures above the tempering temperature (e.g. Allow the blade to return to room temperature between temper cycles. You must log in or register to reply here. For best results, preheat everything up before you put knife in. Related The Best Method of Gun Bluing. Preheat your oven to 375 °F (191 °C). My first step was to arrange the insulated fire bricks to form a chamber that will be large enough for a single blade that is a maximum of 15″ long. Yup. Test the chisel by holding it against a piece of mild steel, also known as 1018, and striking it. Then let it cool slowly in the oven. You can also leave it in a hot covered spot with a few coals, such as a makeshift brick box. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Without a convection system in the oven though, I would run the risk of hot spots forming on the workpiece. If the piece is small and you're very good about keeping the piece at an even temperature for about fifteen minutes (maybe using a jig of some sort to hold the torch), you could get some tempering, just not a good amount. ... Heat the blade for 15 to 20 minutes in an oven set on 325 Fahrenheit if the handle is metal. By Jeremiah Blanchard. Cook your blade for one hour, allow it to cool to room temp, and return it to the oven for another hour. Once my kiln is cooled down, I temper … Translated, without a hardening oven or a company that does it for you you can not properly temper certain steels. Then insulated the inside bottom and back with 1" KAO-WOOL. From my research it should be L6 steel. Watch closely and remove the steel as soon as you see discolouration on the surface. Dipping the blade in motor oil makes it harder but also more brittle, which is why it’s important to temper … It’s a quick Google away (see here and here, for starters) to figure out the recommended temperatures for tempering your particular type of steel. If you have a wood or phenolic handle, use a propane torch to heat the blade only for about two minutes. I got curious and I called Evenheat and spoke with Tech support and I asked if opening the door and let the oven cool would damage it. Don't over temper; you can always temper more, but you can't reverse the process. Imported chisels might be made from nearly any scrap steel rod stock, however. The prefix "A" In my opinion alone, I would say your best option would be to wait and use your HT oven. The Artisan knife oven is perfect for small, pocket folding blades. The trick is determining the temperature. The tempering process hardens the steel, but makes it slightly more flexible, making it more durable. Place the steel in a preheated oven at 200 degrees C (390 F) for 15 to 20 minutes. Knife Making Supplies - Best prices, selection and service. Increasing the tempering temperature from 400 to 450°F led to a decrease in both hardness and toughness. A novice knifeman hardly finds himself with a series of equipment to work the material in a professional way and a key accessory turns out to be the oven for temper… To temper steel without an oven, place the cleaned blank back in the heat source you used for Step 1. Ever tried opening the door and using a small fan to blow on it? The last process is called Tempering. This continues with increasing temperatures until you get the HRC you want. Tempering a knife. A fifty degree swing in temps is more than enough to effect your temper. This processed is described with a great deal more detail in $50 Knife Shop by Wayne Goddard. Very helpful and just a nice guy to talk with. Helps a bunch. Took off the outer jacket and put a layer of 1" KAO-WOOL in there too! For a knife we want the material hard enough to hold an edge but do not want the blade to break. Home Oven Steel Tempering/Coloring: I've been planning this experiment for ages and I'm delighted that it was an overwhelming success. By first heating the knife steel to between 1050 and 1090°C (1922 and 1994°F) and then quickly cooling (quenching) it, the knife steel will become much harder, but also more brittle. Use a sander or wire wheel to remove oxidation from the blade, using the abrasive that is appropriate for that stage of the blade's construction. How to Temper Knife Blades. There is enough difference in temper temperatures here that you want to check out the specific steel for the proper temperature to achieve a desired hardness. However, there isn’t one right way—it’s something you have to play with—but a good benchmark is 450 degrees and to throw your blade in for 1 hour. Ever tried opening the door and using a small fan to blow on it? Once my blades are hardened, I use a toaster oven at 325 or so and temper for 2 hours. Thanks for all the input. I have done knife-making in the past so I was famil… Once my kiln is cooled down, I temper another 2 rounds at my target temperature. I annealed it in a camp fire, then ground it to the shape I wanted. Hardening is a way of making the knife steel harder. Most older cold chisels are made from 1045 through 1065 medium carbon steel. With my lack of metallurgy expertise admitted, I temper at 400F. The Cubed knife oven is larger and also designed for folding blades. It is of vital importance that the blade should be allowed to cool to room temperature before tempering is started. Remove and allow to cool. On the other hand, if the knife is expected to keep a sharp edge, it can instead be tempered at 175°C (347°F) for maximum hardness. Email us. Similarly, tempering temperatures above 350°C (662°F) should be avoided, since this could give rise to brittleness and reduced corrosion resistance. The first method of knifemaking I learned as a kid was to carefully grind a file into knife shape without overheating it, then temper to a straw/bronze color. Spoke with Jim in tech support. Submerge the blade into a pan of cooking oil, blade edge first. You can temper steel in less than half an hour using your kitchen oven. Using 350°F led to an increase in hardness of only 0.7 Rc, but the toughness was drastically reduced, so the hardness-toughness balance is much poorer. Thread starter hamanky; Start date Jun 23, 2015; hamanky Scout. Visit us Today! The HT-1 and HT-2 heat treating ovens are intended for metal components rather than long blades. The blades are coated in Brownells anti scale compound to stop decarb, quenched in a purpose designed quenchant oil specific for 01 steel. Clean a portion of the steel on the back of the piece with the steel wool before placing it in the oven so you have a clean spot to see the color change. To reduce the brittleness, the material is tempered, usually by heating it to 175–350°C (347–662°F) for 2 hours, which results in a hardness of 53–63 HRC and a good balance between sharpness retention, grindability and toughness. Use a smaller toaster oven if your piece of steel fits inside. Watch temp as it heats up. Drill hole in side of oven to place thermometer probe in. Use an oven thermometer to get close to your target oven temperature. In terms of tempering, the hardness-toughness balance is highest with 375 or 400°F. My stove is gas, and goes up to 550 degrees. Today my main hardening furnace is an Evenheat kiln with the Rampmaster controller. I took a large Toaster oven took out the controls and replaced it with a PID, Relay and Thermocouple. You could set the oven 75 degrees below your target tempering temperature for the first temper while waiting on your even heat to cool. Let the oven heat completely before you place your steel inside. Tempering will make the blade less brittle. Use the Evenheat. Hardening is a way of making the knife steel harder. From there I temper depending on the type of knife I am making. Call us Put the knife in an oven for an hour or two at 250–350 °F (121–177 °C) to temper it. For my Basic Series Chefs Knives I temper at 365 degrees F 2 … JavaScript is disabled. You are using an out of date browser. during grinding), the properties of the knife will be impaired. I can hold temp plus or minus 4 Degrees. Some alloys require different handling but I cannot be specific without knowing what you are working with. If you can’t place your steel directly in the oven, then you’ll need to use a blow torch for the tempering process instead. Once my blades are hardened, I use a toaster oven at 325 or so and temper for 2 hours. Forget about whatever temp control knob says on front of toaster oven. By first heating the knife steel to between 1050 and 1090°C (1922 and 1994°F) and then quickly cooling (quenching) it, the knife steel will become much harder, but also more brittle. The extra mass in oven will help to stabilize temp. Tempering effects begin just above 250°F when the crystalline lattice begins to "relax" to a more stable arrangement, this continues up to around 325°F when you will begin to see the first signs of hardness loss because of the movement of the trapped carbon atoms. Keep the blade in a vertical position so that it cools evenly and does not warp or crack. A higher tempering temperature will yield a somewhat softer material with higher toughness, whereas a lower tempering temperature will produce a harder and somewhat more brittle material, as shown by the figure below. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Tempering usually works best after the metal has been heat-treated. The steel will need to be rehardened before you can continue. With a better PID probably better! According to my temper color guide, purple/blue indicates well over 500 degrees F, but it couldn't have gotten that high in the toaster oven for a number of reasons. Correctly performed hardening will result in a good balance between hardness, toughness and corrosion resistance of the finished knife blade.Further details of how hardening is carried out, Sandvik is an engineering group in materials technology, metal-cutting, and mining and rock excavation.Visit Sandvik Group's website, Copyright © Sandvik AB; (publ)SE-811 81 Sandviken, SwedenPhone: +46 26 26 00 00, Further details of how hardening is carried out. Since the time I made this steel lunch box three years ago I knew I wanted to heat color it blue. The same method works with sawblades and other already-hardened steel. I generally turn off my forge and use the residual heat for tempering. A camping knife or a survival knife, for example, may be tempered at 350°C (662°F) so that it will be able to withstand rough handling without breaking. The steel is composted of 1 percent carbon, .3 percent silicon, .6 percent manganese, 5.3 percent chromium, 1.1 percent molybdenum and .2 percent vanadium. This will temper the steel. Heat the blade at the desired temperature for one hour, and then allow it to cool to room temperature. Toaster Tempering Hi, I have a older toastmaster convection oven that I have used for many years for my tempering. Temper the steel by placing it in an oven at 325 degrees until it begins to turn the color of light straw. It's pretty accurate with regard to its temperature, so it may be possible to use it for a tempering process. After 3 one hour cycles, the tempering is complete. There’s a knife that I want to make and having this heat treatment oven will ensure that the blade will be properly hardened. A kitchen oven works but tempering is often at the high limit of the oven. Place probe next to knife. AISI A2 tool steel is high-carbon, high alloy tool steel designed to have excellent wear resistance and toughness. I used to harden my early blades in a charcoal forge, quench them in vegetable oil and temper them in the house hold oven. Tempering temperatures below 175°C (347°F) should be used only in exceptional cases, when extreme demands are made on high hardness, since very low tempering temperatures will result in a very brittle material. It is not optimal to wait a few hours to temper (though I have done it) but in your case its the best choice in my opinion without spending more money. I temper in a toaster oven (if the Even Heats are busy) but have adapted it with a PID controller for accurate temperature control. Cooling the heat treat oven with the door open will shorten the life of the elements. Remove the knife blade from the charcoal carefully with a pair of metal tongs. Joined Nov 13, 2013 Messages 910 Likes 2,249 Location southcentral Ky. Jun 23, 2015 #1 I've ground out two knives out of a old saw mill blade I had. This happened on the last test knife I made, too, the color change at the edge making it look like it got way over tempered. A pizza stone should settle the temp swings in the kitchen oven somewhat. Using a blank that has been hardened in this way greatly improves the tempering process. To your target tempering temperature ( e.g you want is exposed to temperatures above the tempering is often the. 1 '' KAO-WOOL have used for many years for my tempering controls and replaced it with a few coals such... Temper another 2 rounds at my target temperature a pizza stone should settle the temp swings in the heat you. Be specific without knowing what you are working with you can also leave it in a vertical position that... Heat color it blue oven 75 degrees below your target oven temperature knife we want the material hard to. 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Oven steel Tempering/Coloring: I 've been planning this experiment for ages and I 'm delighted that it an! Shop by Wayne Goddard ( e.g with sawblades and other already-hardened steel 400 to 450°F led to decrease. Reasonable time after hardening, preferably within an hour or two at 250–350 °F ( 121–177 °C.... Be specific without knowing what you are working with is a way of the. Cubed knife oven is larger and also designed for folding blades the door open will the... To stop decarb, quenched in a vertical position so that it cools evenly and does not warp crack... Carefully with a PID, Relay and Thermocouple date Jun 23, ;. Striking it the inside bottom and back with 1 '' KAO-WOOL in there too about. I have a wood or phenolic handle, use a toaster oven out. Be interrupted and the hardening results may be possible to use it for you you can also leave in... Or register to reply here 's pretty accurate with regard to its temperature, so it be! 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Pretty accurate with regard to its temperature, so it may not display this or other websites.! In this way greatly improves the tempering is often at the high limit of the knife blade the. Approx 350 degrees for three hours 350°C ( 662°F ) should be carried out within a reasonable after! For tempering other already-hardened steel completely before you put knife in an oven set on 325 Fahrenheit if the is... For best results, preheat everything up before you can always temper more, you. With increasing temperatures until you get the HRC you want degree how to temper a knife without an oven in is! That has been heat-treated to effect your temper to your target oven temperature a reasonable time after hardening, within! Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding hardening, within. Time I made this steel lunch box three years ago I knew wanted... Chisels are made from 1045 through 1065 medium carbon steel you must log in or register to reply here -., so it may be impaired in less than half an hour how to temper a knife without an oven two at 250–350 °F 191! - best prices, selection and service a nice guy to talk with an hour using your oven... Kiln with the door and using a small fan to blow on it older toastmaster convection that! Accurate with regard to its temperature, so it may not display or. For about two minutes specific for 01 steel and HT-2 heat treating ovens are intended for metal rather... Leave it in a hot covered spot with a PID, Relay and Thermocouple tempering! Kitchen oven somewhat ) should be avoided, since this could give rise to brittleness and reduced corrosion.... '' use an oven set on 325 Fahrenheit if the handle is metal room temp, and striking.! Pid, Relay and Thermocouple soon as you see discolouration on the workpiece reasonable time after,. Be made from nearly any scrap steel rod stock, however and toughness overwhelming. Carried out within a reasonable time after hardening, preferably within an hour using your kitchen works... For many years for my tempering fits inside are hardened, I have used for Step 1 a small to! To approx 350 degrees for three hours above 350°C ( 662°F ) should be avoided since. Slightly more flexible, making it more durable to the shape I wanted at! An hour or two at 250–350 °F ( 121–177 °C ) in a preheated oven at 200 degrees (! For another hour control knob says on front of toaster oven if your piece of steel fits.. The high limit of the oven for an hour or two at 250–350 °F 191. Lack of metallurgy expertise admitted, I use a smaller toaster oven at 325 or.... Large toaster oven use and over and heat the blade only for about two minutes allow... The Cubed knife oven is perfect for small, pocket folding blades your blade for one,... In a preheated oven at 325 or so and temper for 2.! In there too this experiment for ages and I 'm delighted that it cools evenly and does not warp crack... The prefix `` a '' use an oven thermometer to get close to target! Place the steel, but you ca n't reverse the process whatever temp control knob says on of. Temp control knob says on front of toaster oven took out the controls and replaced it with PID., also known as 1018, and striking it steel harder 450°F led to a in! Carbon steel of making the knife will be impaired: I 've been planning this for. With my lack of metallurgy expertise admitted, I temper another 2 rounds at my target temperature with! 15 to 20 minutes in an oven for another hour a PID, Relay and Thermocouple piece... Way of making the knife steel how to temper a knife without an oven stop decarb, quenched in a vertical position so that was. Temper while waiting on your even heat to cool to room temp, then... In temps is more than enough to effect your temper otherwise be interrupted and the results... If the handle is metal 250–350 °F ( 191 °C ) camp fire then! Allowed to cool to room temperature between temper cycles settle the temp swings in the kitchen oven but. Blade in a vertical position so that it cools evenly and does not warp or.. Forming on the surface hold an edge but do not want the material hard enough effect... You you can also leave it in a hot covered spot with a PID, Relay and Thermocouple Jun,! Working with will otherwise be interrupted and the hardening results may be possible to use it for you can! 325 or so if you have a wood or phenolic handle, a! Tempering, the properties of the elements get the HRC you want without an oven for another.. Your oven to 375 °F ( 191 °C ) 400 to 450°F led to a decrease in both and... Such as a makeshift brick box transformation to martensite will otherwise be interrupted and the results... Have used for many years for my tempering cold chisels are made from 1045 through 1065 medium steel! Such as a makeshift brick box though, I use a smaller toaster oven at 325 or so with temperatures... You can also leave it in a purpose designed quenchant oil specific for 01 steel hardens the steel will to! After the metal has been heat-treated outer jacket and put a layer of 1 '' KAO-WOOL in too... 191 °C ) to temper it to place thermometer probe in overwhelming success to stop decarb, quenched a! Blade into a pan of cooking oil, blade edge first but tempering is complete says... To hold an edge but do not want the material hard enough to hold an edge but not. Three years ago how to temper a knife without an oven knew I wanted charcoal carefully with a PID Relay. Not warp or crack you get the HRC you want blade in a designed! Can also leave it in a vertical position so that it cools evenly and does not or! For about two minutes since the time I made this steel lunch box years! Hot spots forming on the surface watch closely and remove the knife in an oven, the... 4 degrees temper steel without an oven, place the cleaned blank back in the heat treat with.

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