Heat Treating D2

[Bryant Hollinger]

I just got some D2 stock in the mail. Gonna makesome knive with it of course and was wandering about the heat treat. The books say to heat to 1800-1875 F and hold for 20 min. Air cool to harden and temper at 500 F for Rc 60.

 I assume that it will become nonmagnetic around 1800 or so. Everything I have read says DO NOT Heat over 1875 F. My Problem is that I only have a charcole forge and I have no idea what temp it is at.

I can check with a magnet and tell if it is over the critical temp. but I dont know how much it is over. If I have to hold the blade at High tem. for 20 min. I am scared that it will get too hot.

Any Suggestions?

Thanks

Bryant

[robtattoo]

Only suggestions I have for D2 are either;

A) Buy yourself a very accurrate Thermocouple & a gas forge

or

B) Mail it someone else & pay them to do the HT.

Evil, evil steel to get right, unless you're really sure what you're doing. I 'killed' 6 or 7 really nice blades before I gave up & admitted that I wasn't set up properly to deal with D2

[kbaknife]

Here's something to remember:
Don't confuse "critical" with "non-magnetic".
Almost completely, across the boards, the steel we use in knife making will go non-magnetic around 1413 degrees - give or take a few degrees.
What is changing at that temp is the nuetrons and protons in the IRON. It's the iron that is going non-magnetic.
The "critical" temps, for the specific steels, is dependant upon the other alloys.
Using magnetism is only an indicator that you are approaching critical temp.
I'd listen to Rob on his experience!
With only a coal forge, and the high austenizing temp of D2, get another steel.

[Bryant Hollinger]

Thanks.  Not really what I wanted to hear but better than ruining 2 or 3 blades!  :(   I have thought about getting a knife oven/kiln in the future, this would solve the problem right?

What would be your suggestion on a "forgiving" or easy to HT steel? 01?

[Jeremy]

1084 and 5160 are about as 'forgiving' as you can get.

[kbaknife]

A knife oven will put you miles ahead.
You can still use your coal forge for forging.
Much more temp and time control.
I personally do not use O1, but from what I gather, to get the most out of it, it requires a fairly long "soak" at its crical temperature for proper hardening.
Maybe others who havemore experience with it can give you a more educated opinion.
See if you can get your hands on some 1084.

[Bryant Hollinger]

Thanks

Anyone have a good recommendation on who to send a blade to for custom heat treating? About what does it cost?

Also has anyone use or know anything about this oven?  

 http://www.sugarcreekind.com/kilns-knife-kilns-c-273_312.html

Its about 1/2 the price of the other knife ovens that I have looked at online.

[Toecutter]

Those are cheap!! I'd be interested myself in whether or not those are any good.  I was gonna build one soon, but at that price I might just buy one of those if they are worth it.  Feedback is most welcome.

thanks,
Nathan