My first time making a knife specifically for breaking, maybe 4th knife overall. I'm using 1084, a homemade coal forge, normalizing 3 times and quenching in canola oil (preheated). Followed by tempering in an oven at 380ish for a few hours (my oven will fluctuate within 15 degrees of my set temp). I guess I just want to show somebody and get their opinion on my grain structure as I'm kinda figuring this out on my own as I go (with a lot of trolling on the ABS forum of course). I was having a hard time finding a picture to compare it to. Sorry, i'm using my phone for the pictures and I'm having a hard time getting a really good one.
I’ll replace the pic when I get a chance I guess.
Johnathan the grain is a bit large, as is your picture. For 1084 you need the first cycle to be 1650 and then air cool until black, the second will be 1550 and air cool until black, the third will be 1400 and cool. You just have to be patient and take your time and use a lower air blast in the forge. Also move the blade in and out of the coals so you can heat up slowly. Another good thing is to do it at night or in a dark shop to give you a more accurate judge of temp.
Also can you resize your picture to 1000x1000 pixels or less. Thanks in advance.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
I concur, too large. Watch that final heat, keep it a little lower than you think may be necessary. Being close to the eutectoid, the workable temperature range is about as low as it gets. I would also work on keeping your heat more even, you have the opposite of what most would expect with the gran enlarged slightly more near the spine. Most find it harder to control the thinner cross sections.
"One test is worth 1000 'expert' opinions" Riehle Testing Machines Co.
Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. I’ll work on changing the picture as soon as I can get some time at my computer. Having a hard time editing it from my phone. I’m also having a hard time getting a consistent heat but I think that’s more to do with my lack of knowledge. Anyone have a good resource for how to use a coal fire for this? I’m using a Vulcan fire pot from centaur forge with an electric blower and air flow control gate but I’m not sure how to shape my fire to my needs yet.
Jonathan
Look up the IBA - Indiana Blacksmith Association , they have there past news letters on line, and there might be a member close by that could give some hands on instruction on your coal fire management.
It could be that they have monthly meetings sponsored by members around the state. This would be a good place to ask questions, and get some hands on instruction on using coal .
Anthony
