Thread: Hamon or Temper Lines on Razors

Over the last several years I have been standing on my little soap box stating that a hamon was a waste of time on a razor. I was making my Damascus from O1 and L6, martempering in salts, blah, blah, blah... While that is still partially true, I have seen the light.

I hadn't taken the time to consider making a razor from a material that would give a hamon no matter what. That would be from using steel like 1084, 1095, or W2. With the thick spine, and thin edge of a razor blade, normal heat treating techniques will give a hamon that can be brought out by simple polishing and etching. In fact if you choose these steels, it would be extremely difficult to not have a hamon.

That is especially true with simple smelted steels such as tamahagane, or my Michi-gane. The blade in the photo is a Michi-gane, 11/16, 1/4 hollow. It was Austenized in 1480F salts and quenched in to 90F #50 quench oil. I'm sorry about the crummy photo. I had to tweak it a lot to have the hamon visible.

So, I have changed my tune, a little. I still think it would be a lot of extra trouble to purposely create a hamon on oil hardening steels like O1. There is no functional reason to have a soft spine. But, if your steel choices lead you to 1095 or W2, take advantage of the shallow hardening and enjoy the beauty of the hamon.

Crow doesn't taste too bad if you add enough barbecue sauce...

Thats is a good looking blade.

I think a temper line or hamon looks pretty cool on a razor. I think the fun factor is reason enough to mess with them.

Charlie

There is just "something" about a temper line that I personally like on any cutting instrument. What "etch" are you using?

1. Finish to 2000 grit.
2. Hot Lemon juice etch.
3. Wait 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Polish with Mother's Mag Polish
5. Repeat #2, 3 and 4 until desired contrast is achieved. Usually 5 to 6 times

Adds character and depth. I like it.

Aesthetics is a huge factor in the custom blade venue. Take Damascus for example. All things being equal-Proper heat treatment, good geometry etc., will a Damascus blade perform better than a good monosteel blade. Maybe-Maybe not. But there can be no question that a well done pattern welded blade can be eye popping. Same with a hamon. It is another tool in the makers arsenal that he can use to express himself. It is his decision to use it or not, how well he conceives and executes it plus all of the other decision he makes and executes that leads to a piece that speaks to others or it doesn't.

Nice blade Tim
I like it.

Great looking blade.
Have you tried polishing with Jnat powder?

Originally Posted by mainaman

Great looking blade.
Have you tried polishing with Jnat powder?

Nope. Not yet. I'm getting guidance from Rick Barrett. He seems to really like the Mother's. I have also tinkered with Simichrome and some of the other dry abrasives I have here. Just not Jnat yet.

I like hamons/temper lines on blades, and some knifemakers will etch their blades to show the different zones within the steel after heat treating. Take a look at Ed Fowlers work for example.

And your blade above, and the ones on facebook are really awesome.