All in a day of a knifemaker.

ArtinNC

ArtinNC

Well-Known Member
The other morning I was having a good day in the shop Hand grinding. RThen I picked up a piece of new super steel that I had just got CTS-XCP that cost me $75 plus shipping. And probly get three knives out of it. I went to the band saw and started to cut the blade out, And I was zipping right through it and all of a suddenly the band saw quit cutting, so I put a new band saw blade and proceeded to cut out the knife and as I was finishing I though that the band saw started to get dull but I made it through. Then I started toprofiling the blade with a new 36 grit ceramic belt. And it didn't seem to be cutting like it should . So I put a new one on and proceeded to hollow grind the blade. I was ablut done with it and I noticed a line at the top of the knife blade so I went back and with a new 220 grit belt , and tried to get that line out and back to a 400 grit belt, and the line was still there. It looked like it had another piece of metal welded to itand it was very hard, and it really shows up. So here I am with a knife that I was going to probably get $550 for it. And I have now got $40 in steel, two band saw blades at $54, 6 new belts at about $5 each and 3/4 of a day missing around with that blade, and what do I have ?? a piece of junk. It will probably Heat treat ok but I'll not be able to get much out of that knife. And then you have buyers always trying to get you to make them a knife for nothing. Here is pictures of that blade you can see the line at the top of the knife and it goes through the top bolster rivet hole.
Thanks for listening to my @@@@@.
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Well I m kinda glad to hear your story cuzz that sounds like a normal day in the shop for me. But this is what ide do , Ide contact the steel supplier and tell him the dilema. Its obviously a flaw in the material . When the other metals are added this may have been caused from alot of different variables . You should get the steel replaced to say the least. The steel doesnt sound like its anealed , you need to ask questions.I would test the RC before heat treat. kellyw
 
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Didn't grind any skin or fingernails off? I hate hitting a new 36 grit belt with some part of my hand.

About bandsaw blades. You probably already know this, but....... I was having trouble with quickly dulling bi-metal blades or losing a tooth or two, which really caused problems. I went to 'Carbide Saw' in Portland and he told me two things: 1) use lubricant - a kind of waxy stuff similar to the wax jewelers use on jewelers' saws (only it comes in a much bigger tube), and 2), break in a new blade by starting on a round piece of mild steel (I use one inch) - start real easy and then increase to normal pressure slowly. It seems to help. Sets the teeth, or something.
 
I have a hardness tester I'll do that tomorrow. but 1,60 carbon may be the problem .

Ray,
Yeah I have that lube , but was not thinking and didn't use it. and it was right there by my band saw.

PS: This went the full length of the bar of steel , I don't think it was mixed in , it looks like it was added when they rolled it.
 
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Man that sucks. Have you RC tested it yet? If its just cosmetic you can charge more for the fancy transition line...LOL..

steve
 
Thanks , Frank

Steve , I HT it yesterday and it Rc26 on the little strip on the top and the blade Rc61 and now after HT it really shows.
 
ArtinNC said:
Thanks , Frank

Steve , I HT it yesterday and it Rc26 on the little strip on the top and the blade Rc61 and now after HT it really shows.
Click to expand...

You can call it a First! A new special stainless steel that can produce volunteer Hamons!:biggrin:

You have started something new! Remember, Every cloud has a Silver lining!:biggrin:

Cheers!

www.rhinoknives.com/
 
I seem to remember reading somewhere that this steel is rolled out at the mill sandwiched in a layer of one of the 300 series steels.

Looks very much like they didn't get it all off of that sheet.
 
If I understand you correctly that the blades is 61 (how do you test that?) and the spine is 26, I'm guessing that has to have something to do with a burr or irregularity - but I'm betting the manufacturer would love to get their hands on this blade.
 
There are anomalies like this showing up in cpm steels lately. I feel your frustration, and would suggest that you contact Carpenter and let them know about it. As makers we can't afford to lose time, money and customers over this kind of issue, especially when we are paying premium prices for what is supposed to be premium material.
 
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