Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: bowtarist on September 20, 2012, 11:13:27 pm

Title: AST 34
Post by: bowtarist on September 20, 2012, 11:13:27 pm

I've made a couple hand fulls of knives, mostly reduced old flat files, but the father-in-law's Buddy gave me a piece of 1 1/2" X 1/8" X nearly 16 1/2" AST 34 and I'm not fimiliar with working this material.  I can cut it, I can hammer it, reduce, obviously, but what do any of you  think might be the berries for this pcs. of steel?  I've got some iders, but was just wondering.  sorry no pic.

dpg

Title: Re: AST 34
Post by: DennisM on September 21, 2012, 02:01:34 am

ATS34 is a high grade stainless.  It's a great knife steel, I use it a lot.  You need a kiln to heat treat, requires a long heat soak.  When done right it holds a edge longer than any steel I've used

Dennis

Title: Re: AST 34
Post by: bowtarist on September 21, 2012, 09:20:39 am

DM, you got details of temps and times for the heat treating process?  Is it expensive?  Should I use it sparingly for several small knives or work a big one up and use the scrap for smaller one?  Just wondering.  Thanks for your time, dpg

Title: Re: AST 34
Post by: DennisM on September 21, 2012, 01:12:48 pm

Google Texas Knife Supply, they offer a heat treating service.  I heat treat my carbon steel blades but a friend does my SS.  There are several recepes on the web. They are all similar
Soak at 1850-1950 deg for 30-60 min to harden
Air or oil quench
700-900 deg for 1 hr to temper

Title: Re: AST 34
Post by: bowtarist on September 22, 2012, 02:00:09 am

DANG!!!  that's pretty darn hot.  thanks, i'll look into it further. dpg