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Old 08-06-2017, 05:34 PM
jimmontg jimmontg is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Now live in Las Cruces NM.
Posts: 1,345
First thing I'd tell you is don't mess with mystery steel and have any great expectations unless it's an old Nicholson Black Diamond file. James said above a lot of bandsaw blades are not made with 15N20 anymore and many never were. You could have some S7 steel there and it doesn't get as hard as one might like a knife to be (yes they made sawmill blades from S7). 8670 is a common one now and there are better alloys being used for saw blades than ever before. Heat it to 1500-1600 degrees or a nice bright orange heat and then quench and see what you get. Temper immediately if it's hard, start around 350 for an hour. S7 at 400 degrees wouldn't hold an edge very well at all if that's what you have. How old is this stuff?

I suggest that if you want 15N20 order it from Alpha Knife Supply or NJSB. It only comes 1/8" at the thickest, but will make an awesome insert on the inside of an ax. It is very shock absorbing and will harden around the file skating hardness range. It is fairly cheap and is forgiving. Best for Damascus.
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