5160 heat treat without kiln (ABS performance)

[Howie]

_{Doug, thanks for the info.}

[Al Massey]

I can vouch for the drawing back with the edge in water. Did my test piece in '94, didn't bother with a long soak, just basically got things non-magnetic, held for a few secs, then quenched and into the oven at 400 for 2 hours, repeated the temper and lastly got the edge in water for a soft-back draw. No cracking to this day. Overall shape was more a "scimitar" style butcher knife.

Edited December 28, 2016 by Al Massey

[Doug Lester]

Just read over my response above. With horizontal quenching you can go in edge first or spine first if you are doing a full quench. DO NOT put the blade in flats first unless you want some warping.

 

Doug