No you are not imagining things Lin. I have found decarb on 5160 and 9260. Seems like more so on 9260. The first time I heat treated a piece of 9260 I thought I did something wrong because the file just dug right in. Went to the grinder and made some clean up passes and no more filing. Then of course I went duh! decarburization dummy.

It does seem to occur more on those two steels. I do not have a problem with 1084 or W-2.

I guess we should label this thread the Decarb Blues. You are not alone.

Brion

I just hardened two 9 inch blades and they are 5160. I had to take a couple thousandths of the edge and sides near the edge to reach the hard steel. It's not a problem, but sometimes I fail to remember and I get surprised all over again. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' />

I once hardened a blade 5 times before I figured it out. Doh!

Yep, 5160. That was back when I did dumb things.

Got news for you Lin, I still do dumb things, <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//laugh.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />. See you at the big show.

Brion

The blade is just right. I chopped boisdarc with it and it did well.

5160 has always been one of my favorites, but it goes to show you that you have to work it like it wants.