[TheForge] You do need to temper this blade

[Ron Childers]

Jeff, 

John said temper that wood chisel to a light straw. Quench only the cutting
edge up just past the bevel. 

Ron C

 No need to temper this blade

Yesterday at our FABA meeting in Sneads Fl. John Butler demonstrated the
steeling of wrought and mild steel tools.  It was a great demo and he made
it look easy as all the welds took first time.  On the chisel blank that
John forged he welded a piece of old file to a piece of mild steel and in
the later discussion said that he would quench it in oil and that there was
no need to temper this chisel blade as the tool steel  was forge welded to
the mild steel backer everywhere and therefore he didn't have to worry about
tempering the tool steel to keep it from being too brittle and breaking as
the mild steel would be dead soft and tough.  This was an interesting  new
concept for me.   It would end up sort of like the expensive Japanese
chisels.  So, I'm wondering what experience or thoughts you guys have on
this decidedly apolitical subject.  Do you think there's an advantage to
having a mild or wrought backer to a steel blade?  Why?

Thanks,    Jeff Valentine


_______________________________________________
Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
theforge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoaccess.com
Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
password:  anvil
___________