Thread: Work Hardened Steel Is No Bueno

Hello Gets!

Quick update - First, I stocked up on some quality cobalt bit. Forged out a couple more of these stainless/high carbon razors, and went to drill through um! It was not easy, BUT the cobalt did eventually go through, without breaking the bit. I'm of a thought that some big carbides are forming where the stainless and 1095 meet, for sure. Drilling goes like this - Easy as pie for a few mil, then hard as hell, hollowed by easy for a few mil, then hard again, and finally easy for just a few more mill, and out she goes! To my mind, that's telling me it's the carbide suggestion. The quality cobalt drills get that all dialed in, easy peasy.

Last but not least, I wanted to show to the finished product!

Here is the done razor (sans final honing) wearing some cocobolo, with a stainless wedge (cause THEME!) pinned traditionally in brass. Turned out pretty good, I think. Solid welds and a beautiful straight demarcation, just like I wanted.

Get some Ballistol to use as a cutting fluid. I have found it really helps on hardened steel. Then you can use the Ballistol on your strops, guns & about anything around you shop & home.
And no I don't work for Ballistol, it just works! Are you using a press, power hammer or hand to produce your steel?
Great looking straight by the way!!

Slawman

Originally Posted by Slawman

Get some Ballistol to use as a cutting fluid. I have found it really helps on hardened steel. Then you can use the Ballistol on your strops, guns & about anything around you shop & home.
And no I don't work for Ballistol, it just works! Are you using a press, power hammer or hand to produce your steel?
Great looking straight by the way!!

Slawman

Hmm - I'll check that out! I've never heard of it before, but I'll do little googling and find out some more bout it.

For forging out my steel I use a forge press and hammer. On this piece I used the press, which gives a straighter line of separation between the metals in the hollow grind. I've made some dyes that will also develop specific patterns in the metals as well. My next if purchase will be the power hammer. For serious large billet production that's the way to go, unless I get some monster 1 million pound press.... Which may happen one day as well if I can find one for a good price.

Thank you much for the complement! I appreciate that, greatly!

Originally Posted by JohnGlueck

Hmm - I'll check that out! I've never heard of it before, but I'll do little googling and find out some more bout it.

For forging out my steel I use a forge press and hammer. On this piece I used the press, which gives a straighter line of separation between the metals in the hollow grind. I've made some dyes that will also develop specific patterns in the metals as well. My next if purchase will be the power hammer. For serious large billet production that's the way to go, unless I get some monster 1 million pound press.... Which may happen one day as well if I can find one for a good price.

Thank you much for the complement! I appreciate that, greatly!

I would like a press if it worked pretty fast. Most I have see are pretty slow. I would like to get a 250 LB self contained power hammer to forge pattern welded steel for my self & others. I was a general Blacksmith for about 12 years when health problems made me quit. Have the health taken care of now so after we get moved to North Carolina I hope to start a forge hopefully by next winter. Just have to see how life rolls I guess!

Slawman

Really nice looking finished blade. Love the contrast of the two metals. Worked out super. Looking forward to your next batch and the walk through as you make it.

haha! just found this thread, i had the same issue with my stainless billet too! i was using them cheapies then i bumped it up to the good colbolt bits, after breaking a few of them i tried to up the size a little to see if it helped... no go... moved on to a carbide and BOOM! i was in

Originally Posted by JohnGlueck

Hmm - I'll check that out! I've never heard of it before, but I'll do little googling and find out some more bout it.

For forging out my steel I use a forge press and hammer. On this piece I used the press, which gives a straighter line of separation between the metals in the hollow grind. I've made some dyes that will also develop specific patterns in the metals as well. My next if purchase will be the power hammer. For serious large billet production that's the way to go, unless I get some monster 1 million pound press.... Which may happen one day as well if I can find one for a good price.

Thank you much for the complement! I appreciate that, greatly!

Probably because Ballistol was banned in Kalifornia until recently!

Mike