Planer blade knife

R

Rusty-Gunn

Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
47
Hello. I am making a small knife from a D2 planer blade made by Bohler of Austria.
Rockwell is 60. Besides this one I will make a few tanto knives.
Is 60 considered too high? I like a high rc number for edge retention but is it worth
tempering to about 57?
I ask because I've never made a knife with tool steel already hardened (which I think
puts me ahead a step or two.)
I am very careful not to over-heat the blade as I work it. I constantly dip it into cold
water as I grind on a 1x30 belt sander at 80 grit.
Thank you for any advice.
 
First... I didn't realize this belonged here. I thought because I was making a custom-made
knife it would be fine in that forum. My bad.
Second, thanks for the information. I will continue with my project.
Lastly... I ground the handle to a narrower profile so it fits into the handle material.
I cut some small V-cuts along the handle edges to help keep the blade glued into the
handle material. This way I don't have to drill pin holes.
I intend to buy Dimondwood for the handles.
Thanks for the help.
 
If you want on another you can drill holes with a concrete masonary bit or of course a carbide bit. Frank
 
Do you have a way to efficiently heat treat d2 if you do want a lower rc. Its not really a steel you can just do with a torch. 60 is fine by the way, I wouldn't change it.
 
Rusty-Gunn said:
First... I didn't realize this belonged here. I thought because I was making a custom-made
knife it would be fine in that forum. My bad.
Second, thanks for the information. I will continue with my project.
Lastly... I ground the handle to a narrower profile so it fits into the handle material.
I cut some small V-cuts along the handle edges to help keep the blade glued into the
handle material. This way I don't have to drill pin holes.
I intend to buy Dimondwood for the handles.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

What color dymondwood and how big? I just happen to have a black/grey 3/8" thick slab laying around. I'll throw you a piece for nothin.
 
Time and expense wise you will come out in the hole using these planer blades. D2 is some by God tough tool steel, Bob Loveless introduced it to us back in the 60s and in it's hardened form will fight you every step of the way. That's not to say it can't be done but be ready for some major frustration and extra time doing any operation on it.
 
To Frank Nero...Thank you for this information. I'll log it in my brain for future use.
 
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Jobasha11... No. Just the kitchen oven. I will just keep the blades as-is. 60 is good enough. Thank you..
 
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Lucycustomknives... Actually I don't have any on hand. I was going to order some though.
I was thinking silver-black might look good.
So, you have a few pieces you are willing to give away? I will accept if you don't mind. Thank you.

I just learned I can not do PMs at this time. I am unable to send my address to you this way.
Therefor I will decline the offer. Thanks.
 
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The way to make your shop profitable is to make as many knives as you can in the least amount of time for maximum profit. Think about it.
 
Thank you. I do understand the concept of doing it efficiently. Saves money. At this
point I'm only doing this as ahobby. Perhaps someday...
 
Rusty-Gunn said:
Jobasha11... No. Just the kitchen oven. I will just keep the blades as-is. 60 is good enough. Thank you..
Click to expand...

I just realized you only wanted to bring the temper down. I thought you were planning to anneal, work it, and then reheat treat and temper. Sometimes I read too fast :/
 
Planer blades are easy to grind, especialy with the new ceramic belts. I no longer make knives with them but5 sometimes end up making some little chisel or such with them. I don't have my friction cutting band saw operating right now but have used it to help make blades also years ago. I still grind my blades after hardening. The steels I use like M390, Elmax, a CPM154 provide far better cutting edges than the planer blades available here in Canada. Frank
 
Bootstrap... I will try to post pics soon. Got to have one of my daughter's help me with it.
We have a new computer that I don't know how to use yet. I post with my phone.
 
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