How To Heat Treat A Knife | The 4 Steps You NEED To Know

Knife Making - How To Heat Treat A Knife | Super Simple DIY heat treating. The 4 steps you NEED to know. More info below⬇️
Beginner knife making steel video. What steel I recommend⬇️
• Beginner Knife Making ...
Heat treating simplified! In this video I show you how to heat treat a knife the easy way. I give you 4 steps to heat treating, which include : Normalizing, heating, quenching and tempering your diy knife.
Heat treating is an exact science. However you can heat treat simple carbon steels using relatively crude methods. Simple carbon for knife making can include 1050,1060,1075,1080,1084,1095,5160 and others. However each of these particular steels have their own variations in both normalizing,quencing, and tempering temperatures.
Some of these steels require soaking time at the austenitize temperature in order for the carbon to "diffuse" through the iron.
This is why I wouldn't recommend 1095 or o1 as a beginner knife making steel. As soaking time at temperature is required in order for the carbon to get fully into solution before quenching.
Yes, you can use these steels (1095, O1 ect.) and get a hardened blade using a forge, if you know what your doing, or get lucky. But, realize that you will most likely will get better results using a simpler steel like 1080 or 1084 that doesn't require a soaking at temperature.
A 1080 steel blade will most likely Harden all the way through using crude methods where 1095 or O1 may not.
Remember this is an exact science. If you have any more questions about temperatures for a particular steel please google "Time temperature transformation graph" for the particular steel you plan on using.
Stay away from forums for info on heat treating. There is helpful info on forums if you already know how to sift through the mess of bad info. Quenching in motor oil, mixed with ice, heated to 180F, under a pale moon light, or any other home recipe, is generally a bad idea, and wont give you the full benefits of your particular steel.
Steel manufactures spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars finding out EXACTLY what works on their particular steel, with their particular ingredients. Always refer to their info for questions regarding temperature and quench.
This video is for the back yard knife maker looking to simply heat treat their knife using crude methods. Realize I can't go into every aspect of every steel in a single youtube video. AGAIN😉, this is a simple video explaining how to Harden/ heat treat a simple knife.
If you have any questions please ask! However, If you have different
"opinions" thats fine too, but I will most likely refer you to Time temperature graphs from the a steel manufactures website. And their recommendations for their steel.
Hopefully this helps! Thank you for watching and hope you have a great day!
About⬇️
Hi, Im Alex, im a knife maker and KZbinr, based out of southern Pennsylvania and my youtube channel is Outdoors55. This channel started as an outdoor backpacking channel, but quickly grew into a knife/ knife making channel. Everything I do on my channel is family friendly. I primarily focus on knife / knife making videos but occasionally throw in something different. Thank you for watching!😀

[@OUTDOORS55]

Important 🛑 MUST READ below ⬇️ In light of new information provided by Dr. Larrin Thomas after this video was published, canola oil is NOT a suitable quench oil. In most cases you will NOT achieve full hardness, or even close to it , using canola. Parks 50 quench oil is recommended and can be found here amzn.to/3F1unye I would also recommend his book amzn.to/3IVs6ac If you can not buy the proper quench oil id would recommend sending your blades out for heat treatment as its relatively cheap and you will get perfect results 🙂 Best beginner sharpening stone as of 2020⬇️ amzn.to/2usHlq3 Leather strops and compound at www.knifepointgear.com All strops made by me🙂 These are affiliated links i may earn from qualifying purchases.

[@sheicontd6726]

Hi I need your help

[@haldyordan2316]

Is used motor oil good? Got lotsa of it.

[@jomamma1750]

Why not use an infrared heat gun to get the temp?

[@buckfuhtt2083]

@@haldyordan2316 I've used it before. But he'll, I've used it chain oil in my saw too.

[@eggdog1448]

Are you heat treating rebar?

[@robertmcconville4105]

From a professional heat treater, lots of good content in this video. A couple of tips for quenching - use brine water for plain carbon steels as it reduces vapour quench phase (note the nose of the curve in the temp phase transition diagram and this should be avoided with rapid cooling at the higher temperatures). Also vapour phase can cause uneven cooling and thermal stresses when entering the hard martensite phase which leads to cracking). Second agitation is important as you mention for same reasons above. Rapid cooling down to low temperatures is good for inducing compressive stresses on surfaces - which helps to strengthen and toughen a blade. Sure, sometimes you get a crack and it usually due to material defects. Throw it out and start again! (We cant do that in our game as it might be a $100k part!)

[@justinritter4924]

Little did you know this simple comment you made was very very informative to one coming into it

[@wilde.coyote6618]

Always great to hear from a specialist who knows metallurgy.

[@vroomvroom4061]

a tip for high carbon or tool steel like M series (molybdenum) heat treats, using peanut oil set at 140 Fahrenheit is great for beginners because it helps with the rapid cooling and escape of oxygen, which will prevent cracks.

[@jerichojoe307]

@Robert McConville I never understood the file checking when it comes to the hardness of your blade. A bastard file has a specific hardness so why doesn't it bite into hardened steel? That tells me that the hardened steel has reached at or above the hardness of the file. But that's where my question comes in; I have used a file to score and break glass before when I couldn't find my glass cutter and I'm pretty sure that glass is much harder than steel. I'm not doubting the method. I've used it before; but it just blows my mind how I can get a file to skate across a piece of Steel that's been hardened and yet I can still scratch glass with that same file that would not bite into the steel🤔🤔 it's weird. As a specialist; could you explain this? Genuine question. Not being a smart-ass at all.

[@airwilliam24]

@@jerichojoe307 depending on what kind of glass it is, a file is can be harder than the glass. A file is made of hardened steel.

[@Yeldineyintun]

This is hands down the best heat treat video I’ve come across. So easy to follow and informative without being overwhelming. Kudos man

[@CthulhuOO7]

I DIY everything, and would add this is one of the best vids - regardless of subject.

[@vidarsigrun]

I agree with this guy

[@chrispalffy3511]

@@vidarsigrun and I agree with this guy.

[@marcinzet7242]

Could not agree more. Love it!

[@billmixson3218]

One of the best I've found/seen in many years as a knife maker

[@santoslittlehelper06]

I'm just starting with forging, so I've spent a few hours learning about heat treating. This is by far the most actionable explanation of heat treating I've found. You have given us just enough metallurgical detail to explain why every step is so important without getting lost in the chemistry, and good benchmarks for beginners to look for. Bravo!

[@padrino2182]

Most underrated and undersubbed account on KZbin. High quality videos

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks!

[@albertovelazquez4272]

Very good thanks 👌

[@KhaledAli-dk3zc]

True

[@tomwhite9188]

agreed

[@jomarz1828]

That's because they want people to pay to put their vids in everyone's suggestions...

[@j.k.roberts5288]

Been making blades for alot of yrs an heard alot of tutorials. You did good youngster top shelf. Keep helping these folks out. Just an old grunt.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@j.k.roberts5288]

No worries ill check in from time to time. Merry Christmas enjoy the forge an all it can tach you in the yrs to come.

[@pacificbushcraftandfirecra6358]

Excellent straight up information for heat treating. Well spoken and demo'd... TFS!

[@jocat2008]

I actually teach metallurgical science and this guy is exactly right! Education through experience....the best. Great job! Also a knife maker.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks for the comment! 👊

[@davidscadlock5569]

I've watched this video several times. One of the best out there!! Clear & concise! Thank you - David

[@therealsparkman]

I love your rudimentary brick forge. Not a complex build, but simple enough that a backyard hack can assemble one and not cost them a lot of money. Kudos to you for all this helpful information. Cheers!

[@williamknox8438]

Honestly, this is one of the best videos on heat treating I've seen so far. Not too much information, but enough that I feel confident to give it a try. Thank you!

[@jiyunotsubasaa]

Best video on the heat treating i've found on KZbin till now

[@paulselfe8139]

Thank you - a simple guide that actually works. Achieved a perfect hardness on a rasp file, which I've had problems doing in the past. Excellent guide for the novice knife maker. Paul - London UK.

[@BEDECE]

Thank you for the clear explanation Alex. This video is exactly what i was looking for to get more familiar with heat treatimg knives. Great video, thnx!

[@hungrycolby]

Great explanation on the whole process my good sir! This is very tricky to wrap the mind around, I appreciate you explaining it simply.

[@Danfield1981]

I know this video is 3 years old. But I’ve learned so much not only from this video but all your other videos. The information is so easy to understand and your examples are clear and easy to see. Your videos have turned a passing as best interest into a full blown hobby of buying old knives and trying to bring them back to shape. I’ve recently started looking into making my fist knife. I truly hope you keep making these awesome videos!!!

[@gmacka6333]

Ive been watching your videos for years now. I live watching how you've evolved in this craft. Awesome.

[@robertvezina3669]

A Natural Teacher. Thank You for Patiently Sharing Your Experience Brother.

[@billmixson3218]

The best heat treating video I've ever run across; video takes heat treating from normalizing to the tempering......well done!

[@tomwhite9188]

i agree, just stumbled upon your videos as i am new to the knife making scene. several weeks of searcing for helpful info and usually end up get frustrated with the guys stammering on and on about stuff totally not on the topic of what they are supposed to be showing that i click off. YOUR videos however are truly helpful, without any wasted time or effort explaining. excellent job in teaching the basics. thank you

[@Northwite]

Amazing video. Simple, concise, exactly what a dummy like me needs to know. Thank you. So many forging channels don't ever really explain anything because they come from "watch me and learn" backgrounds.

[@jmsjms2735]

This isc100% golden - exactly what I needed to know before diving in. Great job, many thanks!!

[@tacticalpianist]

This was the most informative and helpful video I have seen on heat treating so far. Great help.

[@NapoleonBorn2Party]

This is the simplest heat treating tutorial i’ve watched. Great content! Please make more!

[@reiprieto7142]

I love your channel. This is a great video on heat treating! Thank you so much for making it. Your insight is much appreciated.

[@jameswilson8983]

Your videos are perfect easy to understand straight forward. Thank you sir I keep finding myself looking up new stuff and your videos are number one. Keep posting!

[@ozzmann3217]

Best common beginner version of this process I have found yet. Thank you for the info and video

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks for the kind words! I really appreciate it!

[@mikelikesknives428]

This is a great video on heat treating. If you are interested in knife making watch this video. Thank you for the great info.

[@mrPauljacob]

Wow dude I love how simple and effective your forge set up is. And the way you heat the oil as well.. nice and simple

[@johnjude2685]

Very excellent video Great audio ( thanks for being able to hear instructions and LOUD ROCK AND DRILLING OR WE DO HAVE GARAGE TOOLING THAT IS NOISY. BUT you treated me and others within ear shot nice and I adding a special thanks for your audio Sir. I've done a few with a fine and season of 40 plus years BlackSmith and he teaching me enough to get me Great results and much as shown by you "Sir Thanks "

[@markchurch3082]

This video is perfect for understanding the steps involved in heat txt. The first video I have come across that included ALL steps from normalization to tempering. You have a gift for explaining things in a clear, easy to understand way. Thank you for posting!

[@RedWest2010]

Incredibly helpful. THANK YOU

[@iLL_Corvo]

Thanks man. This video is what I needed for creating a cheap and practical forge

[@3DCGdesign]

Thinking about making a couple custom wood carving (little) knives at home, and am so glad to know we can harden them at home without anything fancy. Thank you!

[@mauricetyack8818]

Thank you for this information l can see you are a professional, and know what you are talking about.

[@Biblicalgiants]

Yes it's easy to be intimidated by all of the mystique about the superior heat treat of Paul Bos, Rowan and some of the differential heat treat methods from Tops knives. Good upload!

[@sebastiangustak2980]

As a metallurgy engineer, I approve the video with a like :D Nice clearly explained issues, and most importantly correctly. Best regards for the channel :)

[@ruger51995]

Thank you a straight forward video without hours of talking about things to think about and advanced theories. This just what regular guys have to get into. These guys who try to appeal to beginners lose their interest when they go into long stories. You even addressed that. Very great video

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend! The advanced stuff can come later. I think it puts a lot of people off to knife making. Its not rocket science to simply Harden a piece of steel. If one wants to learn advanced metallurgy, theres plenty of info out there😀 Thanks for the comment my friend!👊

[@danunger3240]

Pretty good explanation of the processes, without being confusing.

[@LordZiTan]

Dude.. this is one of the most informative vids on this topic ive seen yet. Granted it was dumbed down to its most basic points, but thats exactly what a noob like me needs. Thank you so much for the excellent work.

[@juanmanuelcosta3394]

Excelent video for beginners with simples terms about scientificts subjets.

[@johnsandusky6672]

Best video on this subject anywhere!

[@AGRussellKnivescompany]

Great video! Really well done and well presented. Thoroughly explained with visual details, thanks for sharing!

[@smartpuff7389]

This was great for my school project 😁 thanks a ton, this video led to my first knife ever actually being effective

[@tmber01]

I am not a knife maker and really don't have any aspirations to really get into it but I do have several tools (I am a woodturner) that have been overheated while sharpening, that I will attempt to heat treat rather than just throw them away. This is a very helpful instructional. Thanks!

[@LaurelSchaafsma]

Great job. Conveyed in a way that I’m sure most people would understand. Really helpful and useful. Thanks a lot.

[@Travonous1]

Extremely Helpful, and Informative. Easy too follow and Understand. Thanks for the Insights.

[@yager4092]

Your amazing. Thank you I'm not as intimidated as I was. Yes I'm going to try this. Thank you

[@coils1945]

NO MATTER WHAT WE DO! thank you for the video!!! Better than most

[@maninthemirror8746]

precise & straight up information ! thanks!

[@gvigil609]

love you videos....excellent straightforward info,this is one of the better videos that explain some of the details that others leave out.love it

[@JK-xv2sx]

Thank you I am a beginner KZbin Smith and this video has helped me a lot.

[@rickwhitten2872]

Very good explanations. Easy learning - is what it's all about. Thank you.

[@bruceb9515]

Thank you Alex!! This is a great video with a ton of information!

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Good video, I'm a amateur file knife maker and heat treating is a bit hit n miss but this vid gives me good pointers, thanks bud and atb to you, Paul 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@KnightsArmory]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!

[@kaidendecastro6038]

This video is very well explained the steps by steps procedures. Well done to you and god bless.

[@biomechanickformerlyironox5120]

Definitely be trying this out with my next blade. Great and informative video!

[@nandsinghrajput7653]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful information

[@robertgolden1080]

Outstanding video. Quick. Informative and to the point.

[@paganpatriot4770]

just getting ready to heat treat my first blade.... it got too hot during the shaping and stock removal processes... so its required this time... thank you so much

[@outdoorlife5396]

Along a few classes I have taken, I use your video's. I enjoy them very much. They help me out with ideas and remembering things that I learned in class.

[@OUTDOORS55]

Awesome! Thanks for watching👍

[@kengamble8595]

I've been working with knife steel and other types for about fourty five years and that was an excellent video ! 👍 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍 👍

[@OUTDOORS55]

Thanks my friend!

[@canned__meat]

You're dead right about the process seeming quote intimidating. I am not a knife maker but, I love the idea and I am looking into the needed tools etc to get started. Your video helped me understand the basics a lot more. Cheers millions!!

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Random supportive comment time, any progress Pal?

[@canned__meat]

@@OldNavajoTricks - hey. Random support made my night, cheers! My life has changed considerably within the last year - year and a half. The idea of making the knives is still certainly something I am interested in but, it's on the backburner right now. Cheers for the message.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@canned__meat No worries man, I wish you well in all aspects of life, priorities though am I right? Life can change in seconds I know so hopefully you'll achieve your goals at the right time for you 👍

[@jeffroyer869]

Looks like I’m not the only one saying thanks for the best heat treat video. Thank you You really covered it all and got right to the point you actually take the beginner to a level that we actually know something While doing this knife I ran into a guy that works for the same co I do but he is in the heat treat depart and was the manager He was impressed that I knew about all the steps and how to temper it as well No job offers yet but I’m not going there that place is hot as hell year round lol lol

[@jackdorsey4734]

Thank you for answering a lot of questions I had

[@davidcoats1037]

Great info Alex. Thank you!

[@sgnsibande4606]

Thanks for sharing this with us

[@therealjamespickering]

Great video. Definitely bookmark this to refer back to.

[@watermain48]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@barry7608]

very well presented, I know a lot more than before!

[@DevilONeill]

Great information you've given me here thanks

[@malcolmmurray9490]

Very informative and helpful. Thank you.

[@abdulah-s3753]

Best video of heat treating

[@TrevorDennis100]

Excellent video. Informed useful content, and this is coming from a retired toolmaker.

[@jcmillercrossedblessedoutd1421]

Great share, thank you for helping us beginners✌🏻✌🏻

[@m0m0n53]

In know this video has been 3 years ago but this is very good for beginner...easy way to know.

[@davidbacheler1399]

Great information! Thanks.

[@Paul8259]

Thanks for the succinct video! In my forge; for annealing or normalizing phases, I heat a section of iron pipe, not brass or galvanized, in the furnace to the correct temperature then place the workpiece inside the pipe. Soak after reaching the steels' correct temperature for 5-10 minutes then air cool or turn off the heat, close up the forge and leave the steel inside overnight, depending on what softness you are aiming for. The most important consideration in normalizing or annealing is that the heat is as even as possible and that the cooling is as even as possible, but not too slow and not too fast. The pipe helps with this and reduces oxidation of the steel from a direct burner flame blasting it. Some use stainless steel foil to wrap if they have access to an temp controlled oven.

[@eastlothian98]

Best video for a long time. Thumbs up to you sir

[@makuuse]

Best down to earth well explained video about heat treating a knife. But I have to ask if quenching is really heat treating or something else?

[@hiimdominic3780]

It's neat to see that steel can be so delicate.

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

That is an interesting video. I like your explanations and your obvious subject knowledge. Thank-you for sharing.

[@dylanri804]

Hey man thank you so very much for this video I have been over the web trying to find a video like this one because I didn't know what type of oil to use for my old winch a lot of people that make videos like this don't include what type of oil to use which was very hard for beginner like me thank you so very much please continue making detailed videos like this I really appreciate you man please keep on making videos God bless you

[@mrxmissx]

Very well explained all the steps

[@gemunujayasinghe618]

Sir , thank you so much for sharing your knowledge . I am from Sri Lanka .

[@jonkwilloughby]

Thanks! Very helpful!!

[@Matt-ew6kf]

Really informative video, cheers for making it.

[@kdtrimble]

very helpful, thank you.

[@Chillinjjv]

Thanks for the information

[@alidhoank7938]

thanks dude.. the best explanation..

[@chrimay]

You are the man! Thank you my friend

[@andyselarom4462]

AWESOME AWESOME VIDEO, I LOVED IT, THANK YOU!

[@mbenjamin292]

This is it I hafto get a knife from you and try your blades out.Thanks for all your hard work.

[@HarjitSPabla-Composer]

Beautiful. Well explained. Thanks.

[@kevincislo9976]

Excellent job buddy! I really enjoyed the humor, like the phone call segment. Good job TH X

[@joshd1331]

GREAT video! Thank you!

[@jbdolphinwolf5946]

Thank you for telling me this I haven't made any metal works yet but I am going to start sometime soon

[@keikorosu7853]

Thanks dude i've always wantd to make a knife no matter what but i didnt know anything about heat treating, now it seems really easy

[@threehammers2516]

Thanks for this, big help