Heat treating a knife blade with a propane forge, a magnet and a can of canola oil

@crucible_carl · Oct 2, 2026 · 3k views
Difficultyhard
Timean afternoon
Costa gallon of canola

Normalize three times: heat to just past non-magnetic (test with a magnet on a stick), air cool to black each time. This refines grain.

Harden: heat evenly to non-magnetic plus a shade brighter, quench point-first in canola oil preheated to about 130°F (warm oil is thinner and quenches faster). 1084 and 1095 like fast oil; 5160 and 80CrV2 are forgiving in canola; O1 and A2 want slower oil or plate quench.

Test: a file should skate off the edge.

Temper immediately, twice, 2 hours each: 400°F in the kitchen oven gives a straw color and a hard edge for a kitchen knife; 450°F for a chopper you will beat on.

If it warps, straighten during the first temper cycle while warm, clamped to a flat bar. Do not try to straighten a hardened, untempered blade; it snaps.

#heat-treat#knife#quench#temper#1084#blacksmithing

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@sawdust_sam 17d ago

The embedded video is clearer than the official service manual, which is a little embarrassing for the manufacturer.

8
@solderpunk 17d ago

I did the same repair last month and your step 3 is where I got stuck. Wish I had this then.

8
@crucible_carl OP 17d ago

Unplug it. Always. Takes two seconds and the worst case otherwise is a trip to the ER.

0
@benchtop_bea 19d ago

Followed along, got it done in about twice the time quoted, but it is done and it works.

2
@crucible_carl OP 19d ago

Glad it helped.

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