Thread: Bearing Blade

Just thought I would update on the 52100 bearing steel blade.

Forgive the rough grind. I just wanted to get a feel for this, and take it for a test shave before I put any serious work in it. As I mentioned in my other thread, this steel is horribly tough. Drilling the pin hole broke 2 bits, and dulled 3 others.

I heat treated after grinding and tempered at 400F for 2 hours. Honing was a complete nightmare. Just wearing away hone instead of steel (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea)
So, I put it back in for another hour at 450 The steel came out a "not purple" sort of pink hue with the odd purple single "spot" about a half inch from the toe.

This made honing a little easier, though still damnably tough. But after about 2 hours of honing, I got it to shave ready and this morning I took it for a spin without scales, just to see. I was impressed with a smooth, 2 pass to smooth shave.

I tried to get the color as correct as possible in the photo, so you can see where its at right now. I am considering giving it a third temper, just to see if I can get the ease of honing into a slightly more acceptance place, but I am worried I might lose too much hardness.
Would any of you experienced with alloy steels care to offer an opinion on the current hardness ( I have no way to test) based on my procedure and the color? (if that applies to this steel)
And if another temper might be advisable (and if so, what temp/time?)
here is a pic, because it happened...

At least now you know where the saying 'tough as ball bearings' comes from.

I wouldn't temper any more, you have the bevel set now!

Yea, but it was a very difficult job. If I am going to make a razor with the thought of gifting it to others, I want them to be able to hone it too! (not everybody has the level of boredom and insomnia that I do)

I would try 1h more on 480 F. But will be nice to find someone to measure HRC now and after so you will know where are you with this HT. 59 HRC will be nice to get for straights. This is a test piece isn't it?

Yup, learning blade.
I have a ways to go before I will feel comfortable spending money on good steel, so for now its "use what'cha brung"

Realistically, the requirements for a razor means that your only worries are hardening it, na dpreventing microchipping.
Other than that you don't care about tensile strength, breaking strength, shearing strenght, high temperature use, etc.
This in turn means that most carbon steels will make an excellent razor. Ild file steel, O1, 52100, 1070, etc.