how to get rid of the blackening from temper and heat treat?

B

bartblade

Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Messages
344
ok guys i just got done tempering a new blade and heat treating it. the file wont even put a scratch on it! sand paper hasnt done very much! the buffer didnt even come close! WHAT SHOULD I BE USING TO GET THE BLACK TEMPER STAINS OFF THIS BLADE ITS LIKE EVERY THING I HAVE TRIED HAS FAILED!!!

THANKS FOR FILLING ME IN ON HOW TO TEMPER MY BLADES RIGHT THIS THING IS SUPER HARD BUT THE BLACK COLOR HAS TO GO!!
AND PLEASE CHECK THE BLADE OUT ITS POSTED ON MY YAHOO PIC AT http://profiles.yahoo.com/day_walker74003 tell me what you think of it i want some feed back on it. Its for my future father in law.

OH ya I'm getting married on the 31st!
 
If you are doing it by hand I would suggest a good quality wet/dry sandpaper and alot of patience.
 
Put the blade in white vinegar overnite. Whats left should come off with a scotchbrite pad and vinegar.

Ken Beatty
 
OK KEN I M TRYING THE VINAGER JUST PUT IT IN! WHAT DOES THE VINAGER DO EXACTLY AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE METAL? WILL THERE BE ANY RUST DO YOU THINK? THE STEEL IS 01
ALSO DID YOU CHECK THE PIC OUT?
 
You've probably got decarboration. That is more than just discoloration. I guess you don't have or use a belt grinder. Lots of elbow grease and better start with 120 grit paper. When you get the discoloration off you'll see about how deeply it is decarborized.

RL
 
Before I ordered a belt grinder, I tried to make a knife with just hand tools.

I had heard from many people that a person can make a knife with nothing but a file and some hand-sanding so i decided to give it a try.

I Heat-treated my blade and found this same discoloring effect that was on the blade you have shown us.

I tried everything to clean it up. I even showed my knife with the handle on to my co-workers telling them that "hand-made knives are always that color", but no one liked the dark color on the blade.

What did I do?

I opened up my checkbook and got a 2x72 inch belt grinder, and with this tool I have fould that within the time it took to read this posting of mine just now, I could have cleaned up most of the blade's discoloredness.



If you dont have a belt grinder?. or if you seek to learn how to make a knife without such power tools?

Then I have read many old post on this forum about such knife making styles, and they all seem to point to the use of sandpaper and lots and lots of work.

The dark color seemed to be too deep into the steel to expect it to wash off.

Now on late night Tv I see adver for different types of dips to use on fine silver. they have a very dark silver cup, dip it into the stuff, and BANG is all brand new again!

the wounder dip will not work with a Heat-discolored knife blade, but,,,oh wouldn't it be nice it something like that could work!
 
I use white vinegar over night or for 24Hr. and wash off with a hose and make no mistake you will be down to bare steel. Have a can of WD40 handy to spray the blade as it will dry off and rust while you are looking at it, not to worry it is a fine surface rust. This will also work for the discoloring you get when drawing the spine back with a torch. What this is, is a slow etch smiler to FC. White vinegar is one of the handiest items in the shop. The scale that comes on SS will be softened after a soak for 24Hr then take most off with a power wire wheel. It also works on forge scale, handy as forge scale is He## on belts, you save belts that way.
Hope this helps it nothing to be afraid of.
Gib
 
Vinegar is acetic acid.In steel mills they use acid to remove scale all the time though they use hydrochloric acid . Rince thoroughly afterward or dip in solution of baking soda to neutralize the acid.
 
A $29 quarter-sheet pad sander can do alot for someone who doesn't own a grinder to clean these off. Replace the soft pad if necessary with a piece of micarta or some other hard material. Mount it upside down in a vise, turn it on, and press the blade into the abrasive. After the acid descaling, this will help get it to where you can go back to hand finishing.
 
Originally posted by fitzo
A $29 quarter-sheet pad sander can do alot for someone who doesn't own a grinder to clean these off. Replace the soft pad if necessary with a piece of micarta or some other hard material. Mount it upside down in a vise, turn it on, and press the blade into the abrasive. After the acid descaling, this will help get it to where you can go back to hand finishing.
Click to expand...


Here's a link to a discussion on that subject.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=207136
 
ok guys check it out now you can do that by clicking on my first http on this post i left it in the vinagar over night and till i got off work at 3 the resin is off and it is very smooth

i do have a 1x30" belt sander

how much metal do you think i will have to take off to get it back to its origonal luster?
 
It generally doesn't take me too long to remove the scale(without using vinegar, have to try that on next one), but I also use a 2x72. I would suggest though to make sure you use a fresh belt for removing scale. It's harder now than when you were working original metal, so ereally need a sharp belt or you'll regret it. With 2x72, you can sue better quality belts so taht's not as much of a concern, but with the regular A/O belts you're probalby using on a 1x30, a fresh belt will do wonders, and save you tons of frsutration.
 
Originally posted by bartblade
ok guys i just got done tempering a new blade and heat treating it. the file wont even put a scratch on it! OH ya I'm getting married on the 31st!
Click to expand...


I want to point out
you said a file won't even put a scratch on it
I'm wondering if the blade is too hard still? what temp did you use to temper it?

oh and congratulations on the ball and chain day,, will she be using
a nose ring or the ankle bracelet on you :D :eek: :D 26 years here
with one.
 
Good catch and question there Dan, didn't even notice that one.

And yes, congratulations Bart. Though it's too late now, my best friend swears that Okies can only improve their lives by importing and marrying Texan women. Jsut what I've been told. ;)
 
try sandblasting removes all scale on carbon or stainless steel its a breeze i just use dry sand from the creek with a venturi sandblast gun on the compressor also gives a good tactial finish if you go to 240 grit befor heat treat:)
 
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