View Single Post
  #6  
Old 03-01-2011, 10:49 AM
Ed Tipton Ed Tipton is offline
Skilled
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 352
Thanks for all responses.
Ed, that was exactly the type of info I was looking for...and your answer did validate my understanding of the process as well. I was not aware of the "skin" effect you mentioned and in my attempt at tempering with a torch, I had a failure that may well have been the result of the steel not having been completely through-tempered...and remaining more brittle than I had thought it should have been.
When my blade broke, it revealed excellent grain, and had it been completely through-tempered, I don't think it would have broken. It's all part of the learning process, and the lesson was not lost. The learning never stops, and just when you think you've got it figured out...something jumps up and bites you in the a$$...but that's what makes it all worthwhile.
Reply With Quote