1095 Striker Decarb Layer removal and File Test

Bushman Tekbits
BM9026-VDLR

In the beginning, I could not get my laser cut 1095 strikers to harden enough to make sparks, using a DIY digitally controlled electric heat treat oven. Tried lots of different heating and quenching formulas. Still no sparks.

Then I found out about removing the decarb layer using files... my strikers began sparking !!

When cutting through softer steel, the sound is "dull' and the file "grabs". Upon reaching the harder layer, the sound brightens, gets "sharper" and the file action slides or glides like on skates or ball bearings.
The truly definitive test, however, is still whether it sparks and how much.

This is the video I wish I had when I first started.

The belt sander seems to add to the decarb layer (instead of removing it) if the piece is heated too much?
Cool your piece between each pass.
Especially with a worn belt?? More tests !!

There is hardly anything specific on UTube that i found on this topic wrt 1095 strikers using electric heat treat ovens. There is LOTS on using file steel etc. using gas or coal type forges. Lots of stuff for knives, complete with heat treat temperatures & quench stuff etc.
It strikes me that with knives there is no quick accurate definitive test for hardness unless using a very expensive hardness tester.
With strikers, you know they're hard enough if they give good sparks.

That leaves decarb layer removal and testing with flat and test files....

http://www.bushmantekbits.ca