RWL-34 Heat Treating

[Bernez]

Hi all,

I've searched the forum, with little succes, for good information on Heat Treating and Tempering RWL-34. I know some european knifemakers use RWL-34 but it seems there's nearly nothing known (to my knowledge) on Heat Treating that steel. It surely must be somebody, somewhere, with good info's.

BTW,
1). I'm still working on my mini forge. All the stuff I needed are now under way from Darren Ellis. Including a Bernzomatic JTH7 MAPP? Gas torch which is not available up here.

2). I also just got the maintenance kit for my Mityvac vacuum pump, so I will try to finish my stabilization set up soon (I already got one kilo of Paraloid B-72 pellets), and I'm planning a trip to Amsterdam next week, to look for some fancy wood blocks.

3). My (future) 2"x72" grinder is still on the drawing board (it's all your fault guys ). That's because I get new ideas every day from reading the great stuff here on the forum

Thanks to all of you,

Bernez

[rlinger]

Here ya go: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ghlight=rwl-34

RL

[Bernez]

Thanks Roger,

That's a lot of great info's

Bernez

[Jerry Hossom]

I just finished polishing three blades in RWL-34. I just include them in with 154CM when I send it to Paul Bos, so it gets the same treatment. I can't think of a reason to change it. That's 1975F to harden and 950F tempers. It probably gets an extra point of hardness compared with 154CM, but it works great. It takes just a wonderful polish.

[rlinger]

High heat tempers are a curiousity to me. It is not a matter I feel myself good enough to argue with the master but I have been tought to temper stainless at lower temperatures to preserve corrosion resistance. There is a steel though, BG-42, that may be an exception. Secondary hardening is a consideration and to acheive that tempering temperature is required but the trade off of corrosion resistance is also a strong consideration.

Although, I agree that RWL-34 is a great steel and sure does take a fine sheen. I believe it is under used by us. I have tried to talk a couple customers into it but they refused - though I could not argue against their steel of choice. I think the best edge holder I have made so far is a RWL-34. I double tempered at 525 F. My notes say tested 61 HRc.

RL

[Jerry Hossom]

RL, where are you buying the RWL? It's VERY pricey in this country.

[rlinger]

Jerry, I bought 27 inches from Damasteel. That may not be the correct name of the company, but you know - the web site that sells Damasteel. I used most of it in HT testings 3/4 inch at a time. I ended up with enough for a full tang knife and about 4 inches left over.

I got mine in 1/8th thickness. Its pretty nice to work. Their HT directions on the web site are very lacking in conciseness and not optimum in my opinion.

RL