Randy Lucius
Well-Known Member
Need to heat treat six steak knives of .100 thickness AEB-L. Don't really want to run six heat treat cycles. Could these be stacked 2x2 or 3x3? Would I need to increase the soak time? Thanks!!
I use NJ Steel Baron's heat treat recipe since that's where I buy the steel. 15 minute soak at 1500 and 15 minutes at 1950. I only have one set of plates.I am actually still pondering this one even though I decided to wait for smart people. Do you do the pre-quench at 1725 degrees? I am guessing you are plate quenching too? How many sets of plates do you have?
If I am reading this correctly you place one blade then roll it once and add another and roll once more and so on until the end? So each blade has foil between them?I definitely do not fall in the “smarter people” category, but this works for me.
I will generally do 4-6 at a time all in one foil pack, then it’s one shot out to the plates and quench. I have had issues with them crossing and so forth, to remedy that I fold up my foil flat on the table and insert them one at a time keeping the pack tight. I’ll throw in some small wood chips or a couple small pieces of paper to help evacuate the oxygen. Then I fold the top over twice and tap it closed with a hammer. If you keep that pack nice and tight, it doesn’t give me many problems. I use the 1550 for 5 and then 1975, I will generally give them 2-3 minutes there and then plate quench.
Makes sense. Thanks ChrisI go straight back into the forge for the second step. Whether it is correct by academic standards or not, I am not sure but that is the way I was taught by a maker I trust. The blade will reach temp by the time you reach 19xx degrees.
No. I just make one big bag and put them all in. That way I’m only quenching one layer in my plates.If I am reading this correctly you place one blade then roll it once and add another and roll once more and so on until the end? So each blade has foil between them?
Right.Ok so you put them in side by side and not stacked on top of each other?
Right.