Paragon vs evenheat

REK Knives

REK Knives

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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The last thread on this is several old so....

I'm looking at getting set up for my own ht...
Looking for:
  • Pros and cons of each?
  • Customer service of each company?
 
So far I think I'm going with evenheat... Better controller (that can be checked/controlled from phone) and more accurate Temps from what others have said.
 
J. Keeton said:
I will be staying tuned to this thread! What sizes are you looking at?

I had my eye on this Paragon "knifedogs" oven for a while, but haven't heard any reviews of it - https://usaknifemaker.com/knifedogs-tm-heat-treating-oven-by-paragon.html
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Looking at the KO 22.5... Just trying to figure out what the difference is between that and the KH series other than the 200F difference and 220v requirement. Maybe that's it... I wanna be able to heat treat everything from folder blades to short swords.
 
J. Keeton said:
I will be staying tuned to this thread! What sizes are you looking at?

I had my eye on this Paragon "knifedogs" oven for a while, but haven't heard any reviews of it - https://usaknifemaker.com/knifedogs-tm-heat-treating-oven-by-paragon.html
Click to expand...
The description on the website says:
Caution: This oven, like nearly all heat treating ovens, has exposed heating elements. Turn off the oven before adding or removing any material. Accidentally touching your metal knife to an electrically charged oven element will give serious shock and may cause death.
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That does not sound good at all. If there is no safety interlock on the door, I would stay away from it. My DIY oven has a switch on the door that automatically shuts off the elements when the door is opened. Honestly, I am surprised that anybody would offer an oven commercially that can give you an electric shock so easily when the part cost is less than $5 for a switch to interrupt power when the door is open.
 
Hubert S. said:
The description on the website says:

That does not sound good at all. If there is no safety interlock on the door, I would stay away from it. My DIY oven has a switch on the door that automatically shuts off the elements when the door is opened. Honestly, I am surprised that anybody would offer an oven commercially that can give you an electric shock so easily when the part cost is less than $5 for a switch to interrupt power when the door is open.
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Good point. Evenheat makes that an optional switch you can get with the unit which is what I was planning on. I don't know about paragon.
 
Larrin said:
There are die-hard fans of both who will tell you not to buy the other. And some with industrial brands who will tell you that either is garbage. I like my Evenheat.
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Yeah, as with anything hahaha

I considered a salt pot but it's not hot enough (maxes out at 2k)
 
drew1972 said:
I use the KO 22.5 with Tap controller and door switch. Haven't had any issues with it yet and it's about a year old. I've done about 80 knives in it so far.
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That's exactly what I'm wanting to get, thanks for the feedback. Have you connected it to the phone app? How do you like it?
 
have had my 18 inch even heat for about 15 years replaced the pyrometer once and have keep a spare element case i burned one out its been moved a few times and th e brick is showing it here is where i give paragon its props on build strength. bang for the buck even heat and im eye balling the 27 inch LB model so no elements in the back. could maybe get away with the 24inch but ythe extra cost might not be much anyhow. i might even stick with the set pro less the upgraded ones have cone firing schedules already pre loaded. i also do pottery and that woudl be handy
 
Evenheat has the heat trap in their door design, good thing. Anything to help heat escaping that way is helpfull, cause its going to be colder by the door. I'd go with the rampmaster, has real buttons.
I'd buy LB 22.5 minium. The LB 27 is $76 more so I see no reason not to get that. Evenheat has a side swing door, good. Also I think Evenheat has a shorther outside depth than Paragon, which may be of benefit when putting it on your shop bench.
 
I have the 22.5” like you’re looking at but with the 3 button control and love it. Great length for almost everything but a sword.
Heats up fast too. I can’t remember if it was extra or not but I’d get one of those ceramic squares with the rods. Makes it very easy to hold several blades spine down.
 
I favor the industrial brands and don’t think that paragon and evenheat are garbage just like the original KMG grinder isn’t garbage.... it also works fine and there are people who like their kmg grinder

I would take a Cress or lindberg or thermolyne with elements behind the refractory. I have a lindberg right now.
 
HSC /// said:
I favor the industrial brands and don’t think that paragon and evenheat are garbage just like the original KMG grinder isn’t garbage.... it also works fine and there are people who like their kmg grinder

I would take a Cress or lindberg or thermolyne with elements behind the refractory. I have a lindberg right now.
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What are the advantages to that over the evenheat? And how much more expensive for a comparable model?
 
razor-edge-knives said:
What are the advantages to that over the evenheat? And how much more expensive for a comparable model?
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There is probably no advantage to a knifemaker to be quite honest... muffle furnaces are used in laboratories where you might have gas or ash and you need to keep that away from the elements,

These furnaces are typically in the $4K - $9K range, I realize that is out of reach for most of us including me and not justifiable, however you get them used on ebay for much much much less.

I just think that they are better built furnaces, that's my opinion,
I wasn't that impressed by the build of an Evenheat, if I was I would have bought one, I thought the Paragon was better.,

You asked for opinions, I give you mine,
if money wasn't a problem, I would look hard at that Paragon multi zone furnace.
 
HSC /// said:
There is probably no advantage to a knifemaker to be quite honest... muffle furnaces are used in laboratories where you might have gas or ash and you need to keep that away from the elements,

These furnaces are typically in the $4K - $9K range, I realize that is out of reach for most of us including me and not justifiable, however you get them used on ebay for much much much less.

I just think that they are better built furnaces, that's my opinion,
I wasn't that impressed by the build of an Evenheat, if I was I would have bought one, I thought the Paragon was better.,

You asked for opinions, I give you mine,
if money wasn't a problem, I would look hard at that Paragon multi zone furnace.
Click to expand...

Those are great thoughts and I really appreciate the input! Thanks so much.
 
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