Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows if/when Albion's remaining on-line articles will be added to the site. Even though I've read through the others multiple times, I continue to find myself checking them out again. I would really like to see the information about heat treating and design and edge geometry that they can provide.

In reading through their articles I noted that they use a salt bath to heat treat their swords. Is there anyone who has experience with this that could tell me what it involves? I am looking for an alternitive to a coal or propane forge (I'd like something I could use in the house, WI winters aren't very conducive to working outdoors :\ ). Are the materials readily available, is it cost effective, would it be safe to use this process indoors? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-Aaron

Also, most home use salt pots are propane fired, unless you want to use an electric kiln, which costs a whole lot to run.

If you are worried about safety considerations with building a gas forge, stay away from salt. And please, please, please DO NOT use them in an outdoor shop. Any moisture that comes in to contact with the molten salt will make an explosion, sending 1500f salt spraying in all directions. These are EXTREMELY dangerous tools. Think volcano. Most guys that use them will take a torch to the blade to burn off any moisture on it. That's how sensitive t is. It doesn't take much to have that volcano spraying 12 feet in the air.

Also, one of the ingredients in the low temp salt is potassium nitrate. Like they make bombs out of. Rapid oxidizer. Read :bOOm:

There are plenty of people working with these things, but you really have to be safety minded in the extreme to use them. :) They are NOT for the beginner.

Danger, Will Robinson!

Thinking further, if I were in your situation, I would make the blade and send it off the be heat treated. Solves lots of problems, and there might be someone near you that would be willing to help out :)

Yeah, thinking about it a bit, I think that might be the best solution for now. I do hope to someday have an outdoor shop with the capabilities to forge and heat treat though :) . I have a few connections through work for local heat treat facilities. I'm sure they would work with me for a specific heat treat process if I asked 'em. Just haven't had a chance to see how much that would cost? I've been too busy trying to figure out how to create and where to put a forge of my own :D . Oh well, I guess I'll save the possibilities of a "volcano" to the more experienced...

Thanks for the advice,

-Aaron

Yeah, it's scary stuff....

If you check out Don Fogg's forums, you will find a gargantuan amount of info on heat treating and the like, along with many knowledgeable smiths willing to help :)

http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?

You might find that it's not as difficult as you think to get set up... I started in an apartment with no more than a file, some sandpaper, a drill, and the willingness to screw up everything I tried :lol:

Also, look into you local ABANA chapter, there are likely many smiths in your area willing to help :)

Jason;

So juggling ice cubes over the salt is not recommended ? :p :p :p

Hmmmmmm: I guess even sweathing to close to the salt baths would be something to worry about ! :eek: