Too Soft?

[TheViking]

I'm hoping someone will know the answer to this... Will a rockwell hardness on 44-50 be too soft for chopping temperate forest trees?? :?: Will the edge be prone to chipping?

If i'm not happy with this hardness, can I heat treat it myself?? If so, how? Link, description...? :wave:

 

[Rhapsody]

I know that most blades are a lot harder than that, and I assume that that must be for a reason! Never having made a knife I wouldn't know for sure if you could heat treat it yourself, but I remember that this page at Primitive Ways described a simple method that tempted me to have a go for myself!

 

[Andy]

Thats very soft indeed. The edge wont chip so much when the steel is very soft but it will roll. I'd have thought something harder would be better

 

[hootchi]

Andy's right Andy, the harder it is the easier it will chip and the softer it is the easier it will roll but be easier to sharpen than the hardened but not keep sharp as long....

I don't know exact hardnesses but British Blades could help you with that.

 

[TheViking]

What is edge 'rolling'? :?:

if you could heat treat it yourself

Funnily enough I thought about that and was browsing some sites about it. That might be a good idea, but i've never tried things like that before and only got one chance if I get the knife.

 

[JakeR]

Edge rolling is when the edge sort of dents. Basically the edge will have a small roll-over if it strikes something hard...

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

Andy, many machetes are of relatively soft Rockwell. If you've ever used one rolling is easily observed.

 

[Sajuma]

50 Rockwell is good for swords and such but it is bit too soft for knives.
If it's for chopping it might be enough since the blade wont brake so easily.
If you sharpen the blade you might want to go even 30-35 degree, this way the rolling of the edge is not so important.

Juha

 

[TheViking]

Thank you all for the replies.