Heat Treating 440C & CPM154 Stainless Steel Knife Blades - Paragon Knife Kiln With Sentry 2.0

Looking for the recipe or step by step ramp hold instructions for heat treating and tempering 440C Stainless Steel and CPM154 Stainless Steel Knife blades, this is for you. This video also covers the ramp hold programming of the Paragon knife kiln with Sentry 2.0 controller.
To reduce oxidation of my knife blades I wrap them in a foil pouch prior to heat treating, I also add a piece of paper in the pouch that will spontaneously combust and burn off any remaining oxygen in the pouch. This leaves a scale free finished blade and save time and effort in the finishing process.
After heat treating, I put my blades in the freezer for a few days to a week then I temper them in my same oven. Recipe for tempering 440C Stainless Steel and Tempering CPM154 Stainless Steel is also included in this video.
Thank you for watching!
#CustomFolders, #KnifeMaking, #ParagonKiln, #HeatTreating,

[@trainwon5699]

So you only do one temper cycle at 350 degrees for 440c…thanks for sharing

[@BladesIIB]

Don Watson - Thanks for the question and apologies if it was not clear. I always do two temper cycles. Same temp and usually do a few days in the freezer again in between tempers.

[@trainwon5699]

@@BladesIIB thanks for the reply. Thanks

[@BladesIIB]

@@trainwon5699 Welcome.

[@VinceBoothe]

Thanks so much for the video. Is there a reason you do not play quench? What do you think of Argonne gas coming in? And why do you take it out of the foil if you are air quenching only?

[@BladesIIB]

Vince Boothe - great questions thanks for asking. No good reason I don’t plate quench other than I just never have. Have not had enough warp issues to feel the need. As for the Argon I figure if the foil is sealing oxygen out it is keeping it in a stable enough atmosphere. Beyond my knowledge there? The foil has worked well for me. As for taking it out my only logic is that is gets more direct air movement to help it cool faster. Also just the way my dad taught me so guess I do it by default. Sorry I don’t have better more technical answers for you. Hope that helps.

[@VinceBoothe]

@@BladesIIB thanks for your answers. I mean if you're ending up with great hardness then that's pretty exciting. I just got the heat treatment paragon and your explanation was very helpful. Thinking of getting a mini Mill as well. Thanks again I look forward to more videos and they don't have to be too long. Also it's pretty cool that your dad taught you how to do that.

[@BladesIIB]

@@VinceBoothe I used to have a hardness tester and was happy with the results. Still following the same process. I was a full time machinist in the early 90’s when my Dad started making knives. Was about 2000 when he taught me how and has been a great way for us to keep in touch since. I feel very fortunate. Appreciate you watching, hope you find more videos helpful and good luck with the mini mill. Something relaxing about watching chips fly.

[@VinceBoothe]

@@BladesIIB I do alot of wood cnc work but enjoy making knives with my kids it is a great experience... thanks for sharing!

[@BladesIIB]

@@VinceBoothe As a kid who learned from his Dad, I can assure you, your kids will thank you for the life skills you are giving them.

[@carlsartor1423]

I have the same heat treat oven, (haven't used it yet). You say you place your blades in the freezer after heat treating, I have heard the blades should tempered as soon as possible after heat treat. Which is right?

[@BladesIIB]

Carl Sartor - Great question, I wish I had a definitive answer for you, I am not sure I can tell you what is "right", I can only share what works for me. I am not sure why the urgency in tempering, other than leaving them hard increases the chance of breaking one in that state? Maybe there are more reasons I am just not aware of? I follow the process my Dad taught me and he has been making knives and doing it this way for over 30 years. I believe every knife maker has their tweaks to the recipe for heat treat and I am sure has their reasons for why. When you get your oven going and pick the steel you like you may find you make tweaks along the way as well. Bottom line, find the best balance between hardness (brittle) and toughness you can where it won't chip and break and holds a good edge.

[@carlsartor1423]

@@BladesIIB Thanks for the answer, this was the first time I have ever heard of this, might be his tweak.

[@BladesIIB]

@@carlsartor1423 Yes could be. Maybe dropped a freshly hardened blade on an anvil and cracked or broke it and does not want that to happen again. Hard to say where our tweaks come from sometimes.