Thread: Recommendations for a heat treat shop?

I just got 1084 from NJ Steel Baron, but the thickest he has is 1/4" as well.

Originally Posted by NittanyGator

I just got 1084 from NJ Steel Baron, but the thickest he has is 1/4" as well.

When the time comes to do bigger razors, I’ll probably go with 1080, since he offers it up to 1” thickness. From what I’ve seen, 1080 and 1084 are functionally extremely similar if not the same.

Now to just find someone who reliably heat treats razors.

Most reputable shops should be able to noodle out a method for heat treating to a desired hardness. At worst case, they should be able to get it dialed-in in a couple cracks at it. I would recommend doing 4 or 5 test pieces of a rolls razor style. This way you can work with a specific company to find properties that you desire in your blades.

This type of back and forth is typically best handled in person with a local place. There was a place I was thinking of ordering from for one of my company's projects. They did custom blades for indistrial equipment and I think they were in your area. It'll take me a bit to find/remember their name...

I have used Peter's heat treating a few times and have always been a happy customer.

https://www.petersheattreat.com/blades/

I think to get the thicker steel for stock removal you may have to find somebody with a press/hammer to dimension some stock for you.

If you are going to be farming out the heat treat, maybe look into other sorts of steels that would be the proper thickness.

I leave my edges a bit thick before heat treat, I like the safety margin. I shoot for something a nickel thickness or less, but not less than a dime. I just eyeball it.

1080, 1084, 1095,W2,W1 all are similar and will works as well as they are heat treated.

Originally Posted by spazola

I have used Peter's heat treating a few times and have always been a happy customer.

https://www.petersheattreat.com/blades/

I think to get the thicker steel for stock removal you may have to find somebody with a press/hammer to dimension some stock for you.

If you are going to be farming out the heat treat, maybe look into other sorts of steels that would be the proper thickness.

I leave my edges a bit thick before heat treat, I like the safety margin. I shoot for something a nickel thickness or less, but not less than a dime. I just eyeball it.

1080, 1084, 1095,W2,W1 all are similar and will works as well as they are heat treated.

Excellent!

Looking at Peter's Heat Treat, it would be in my best interest to do 15 at a time.

My short-term plan is to farm out heat treat -> sell razors -> buy kiln with proceeds, once I've got enough -> do it myself.

At the moment, I'm probably going to be grinding the first couple batches of razors using a drum sander on my drill press, but my first batch is going to be the old concaved or 'faux frameback' style that doesn't need a radius for the hollowing, so that shouldn't be *too* big a deal.

I was 100% wrong by a just a "couple" states, but here's their site anyways.

https://www.americancuttingedge.com/contact/

They claim that they will make anything, just need a design and some dimensions.

I didn't end up doing business with them since the application was pretty easy for is to do in house.

Since neither places are close enough to chat in-person, a quote from each is probably your best bet. Since Peter's does only heat treating and no the whole shebang, I bet dollars to donuts that they're gunna be cheaper.