from file to knife

[KHalverson]

So I am trying to hit 375ish (and hold for 2 hours) to make the blade less hard?!? I assume it needs to cool overnight, right?

375-400 for 2 hours  remove from oven and let cool on its own
if your using a kiln  I fear you may soften the blade too much by leaving it  in the kiln to cool.

[Stringman]

Ok, not a problem. I'm using this as a learning experience anyway. Look forward to making a few more of these.

[Parnell]

Bought 2 good old USA files today.  1 buck a piece.  Gonna try to build a small firebrick/benzomatic forge and make a knife.  Cool build, Kevin.

[Stringman]

Thank you, Kevan! Your build along was spot on! Love this knife and already plannin another.

[KHalverson]

scott
that looks great.
keep em coming.
Kevin

[neuse]

Oh no, another project for me to try.
Thank you for posting the tutorial, great job.

[toomanyknots]

Very nice!

[bowtarist]

DANG Scott! You whipped that baby out! nice work, dp

[Newindian]

  I just finished the blade on mine, it ain't near as pretty as what you guys are making but it will do the job

[danny f]

hi kevin just a quick question, i have been following your build along but also looking at others, all the others mention quenching to harden then tempering in  the oven, what will be the difference if it is not quenched first? will the blade still be the same as the ones that are just tempered, or have i missed something in this build along where you say to quench. thanks danny.

[KHalverson]

danny

we are tempering the as hard file  so it is not so brittle.
no quench on this build.

there shouldn't be a big difference in the hardness after temper vs doing a full quench and then a temper cycle.
basically apples to apples.


the reason I did the build along the way that I did was to show that a great performing knife can be built with a minimal of tools and some sound techniques without having to have everything that is needed to do a full anneal.harden and temper.
just simpler this way for most folks
Kevin

[danny f]

ok thanks for that kevin. i just  wasnt sure if there was a big diffence. this is the first time i have really worked with metal.

[Traxx]

Outstanding,

Thanxx fer takin the time to do this for us.

[Newindian]

I ended up only being able to keep a file in the oven for an hour today do I simply just put on in for another hour?

[KHalverson]

I ended up only being able to keep a file in the oven for an hour today do I simply just put on in for another hour?

yep!
or a little longer wouldn't hurt.