Rex, what temp is your oven rated for? Isn't it at least 2,000ºF? Most all the steels are less than 2K, but close to it. AEB-L is very much like the 13C26 Sandvik steel. While most folks say AEB-L MUST be at least dry ice (-95ºF) treated, the cutting test by KDX in another thread indicates even without any cold treatment you still get a VERY good blade. KDX says in side by side testing of identical blades with all things being equal other than -95ºF treatment, it's hard to tell difference.
I used AEB-L for the first time in some paring/steak knifes a few weeks ago and it is good. I doubt I could tell the difference in 13C26 vs AEB-L steels. I still like Sandvik steels {g}
Ken H>
Yeah Ken,
My kiln is only rated for 2000 degrees, what I was told was after that, the warranty would be void, not that the warranty is anything ti worry about anymore, the company mine came from is no more!
But, I think there is a reason they put a limit on the temp so I will do my best to stay within those boundaries, it just seems like the right thing to do.
I wouldn't want to have to buy a kiln these days, they tend to be a bit pricey! The one I want is anyway! The Sandvik steel Ive HT'd so far has been in the 1950 range, and thats fine, even if I had to go to 1975, it would still be fine, there is another Sandvik steel I have been wanting to try, 13C28, I think it was, the HT temp on it was 1980, I think. Again, that should be good too, adding the computer controls to my kiln was one of the best investments Ive made for HT'ing! Ive also wanted to give some of the Carpenter steels a try, but most of them the HT temp is out of my range, thats why I was wanting to know what this one was. Ive heard great things about it, and would love to see if its good enough to replace the Sandvik Im using now. I use several high carbon steels but only a couple of the Stainless Steels, I am partial to Crucibal and Hitatchi(...cant recall the name of it, as usual!) Ive found its best to only use the steels Im confident in HTing, and if Im not, I dont tend to use them until Ive Ht'd enough, and tested them, Im also a one knife at a time guy, Ive done multiple blades at once one time, I felt like my quench oil got too hot, not to mention opening and closing the kiln drops the temp, as well as damages the coils over time. So I have stuck to one knife at a time since that one time. Im usually a lot slower than that, but figured that out quick!
Thanks Ken! Great to see you so involved in the group, while I know you're learning a lot, Im sure your sharing some of your life experiences! I hope so, anyway!
Rex