01 tool steel test (i almost past)

[DANA HOLMAN]

guys here is the knife i made for my test, it's not pretty, 01 steel 1/8 inche blade and 1 1/4 ince wide. purpleheart handle (not finshed)
The blade was heated in a one brick forge with 2 propane torches,(then like lin and karl said) 2-2 hr. tempering cycles @ 400 degrees
 
i sharpened the knife razor sharp, i cut a 5/8 rope 2 times, still shaved my hair
 
next i cut a 2x4 into (right on a knot)and it still shaved my hair
 
next i put it in the vice to bend it 90 degrees, and it broke(not good), i may not have had it far enough in the vice, about 3 inches
 
 
I then put it back in the vice to see if it would break again (it done good)
 
now here is a picture of the inside of the blade, gray creamy
 

I would like for all to give me your opinion on this
thanks and i hope it helps other,
dana

[Kevin Evans]

Great Job Dana!!!!        
I gotta try that real soon!!!
I have a few knives out and they say they do real good ,but you have better test.

[LONGBOWKID]

Nice job. But I dont care for your taste in shoes.  

[SoNevada Archer]

Nice knife!
 The tip break could be because it wasn't in the vise deep enough, but I'm wondering if your heat treat was done correct. The 90 degree bend test is to show correct differential heat treatment. Ideally the blade should take the bend and then spring back part way when the pressure is released. By the looks of your photos, I'd say the back and middle of the blade were too soft, with only the edge getting hard through the body of the blade, but then the tip area got hard all the way through the back.

Great job though, your over-all package looks great!

[DANA HOLMAN]

brandon
i thought that pink was you favor color.
   
that's my little girl

Archer you may be right about the heating on the back side, the blade was bend to at least a 45 degree before it broke.
in the picture you can see the hole blade starting to bend, but then it bend all in one place.
If any one can tell me what i need to do, please chime in. practic makes perfect
dana

[Emmons]

The pros are at Blade now, but I am sure they will have some tips when they get back.

IMO, O1 is a great knife steel but not the best for a large knife of this type.  The higher amount of carbon and deep hardening, it is difficult to get a good differentail heat treat.  5160 or 1080 would be a better steel for a knife to pass this test.

The other thing I see is the geometery of this blade is not ideal for the ABS test.  It would help to bring your primary bevels higher up the spine (not the edge).  A distal taper would also help alot and allow the blade to bend without breaking easier.

With that said, two thumbs up on the testing.

James