Hardness testing ?

[old4570]

Ok , so I am ready to do something about checking hardness ..
I don't have money for a Rockwell Hardness testing machine ..
And even these files are expensive , but the need to know is stronger than the seal on my wallet !
So I will test buttery knives and do a review on these files .

 

[Randall]

What a novel and smart low tech approach

 

[old4570]

So many disappointing knives ...
There is not much I can do about metallurgy / steel composition ( Porkie Pies )
But these files , they have been around for quite a while . Originally for engineering shops I think .
At least I can test for softness ( how buttery ) ..
Lots of video on these files on YouTube , but many use them incorrectly .
Anything to help take the mystery out of poor performance .
One of these days I will have to find a heat treat shop and see about re - hardening some blade steel . ( Can it be done ? - I think so - especially with some softer blades )

 

[old4570]

What came moments ago ?
Some goodness !
The files are here ......... ( Insert smiley face )

 

[pap11y]

I use those files to gauge that my heat treatment is within the range of what I expect. Usually I am making sure the 60hrc skates after quench to ensure I have hardened my steel correctly before temper.

I don't really think you will be able to use these to accurately gauge hrc as they are in 5 hrc implements.

Also you are going to scratch the heck out of your knives.

I know what you are trying to achieve with your tests but I don't think these are the correct tool. All the best either way

 

[old4570]

It's very much ball park , and for testing for buttery soft blades ..
If you get a knife that wont hold an edge ( ? ) the question begs why ?
Especially if the 60 HRC file skates ...

 

[Wave Man]

I agree with Pap, those files are a ballpark indicator only, I too use them and as noted they aren't accurate enough to give a proper rating, plus the results are very subjective. We all know just 1 or 2 points of HRC can make a huge difference and as an example, M390 at 58 HRC is usually underperforming in almost all cut tests (edge retention) and yet 60 HRC it starts to perform very well (within manufacturer expectations and end-user expectations) and 61-62 HRC it usually performs exceptionally well.

The only real way of getting a definitive HRC results is to get a proper HRC testing machine, which unfortunately is very expensive.