Making a kick spring

[hebel]

I have to make a kick spring for a side opener switchblade. What is the best steel and the simplest way to make a durable spring? What are the hardening and annealing temperature?
I am a part time knife maker but don't have any experience with springs. Any help is appreciated!

[Bill DeShivs]

I use 1095 steel.
Heat to bright red and quench. I use canola oil. Water will work, but you risk cracking.
Clean to bright metal, and very gently heat with a low flame to just past blue and let air cool. Be very careful to get the color even.

[hebel]

Thank you sir! Which exact temperature indicates „bright red“?

[Bill DeShivs]

Darned if I know- I use a torch. You'll know if the temperature was right if a file skates off the spring, rather than cutting it.

If you are using an oven, you'll have to find a temperature chart. They are available on the web.

[Wally J. Corpse]

Greetings, Mr. DeShivs-

AS usual, your metallurgical skills, and process explanation clarity qualifies you AS a 'True Scientist' - your descriptions of the color spectrum via heat on the little spring rascal was vivid and yet simple enough for mine conceptual grasp...eye myself am a sorta' scientist of the 'Madness of Roofing'...

AS ever,
Your ol' pal,
Wally J. Corpse

[hebel]

Do you cut out the spring from steel plate in spring shape? Or is it possible to heat and bend the a thin piece of steel to make it later spring?

[Bill DeShivs]

You can cut the spring straight and then bend it. If the steel is annealed, there is no need to heat it to bend it to shape.

[Bill DeShivs]

Mr. Corpse- I also have been touched by roofing madness- ten grand's worth last week!

[Wally J. Corpse]

Greetings, Mr. DeShivs-

I defer to your sharpness of business wits in regards to your recent touching of mad roofness- I am confident that you weren't a blind eye to any inappropriate scammages damages..
However, I , and Doofus Emeritus, would be more than happified to provide you, or anyone you are closely to- a review of roofing problems/causes/stabilization for remedial or roofing replacement, product recommendations for longevity or interim lifespan .
So if'n eye can help, ask away....
However, in today's economy, a $10,000.00 roof is a rather low hit...

AS ever,
Your ol' pal,
Wally J. Corpse

[sammy the blade]

I paid close to 15k for mine, damned inflation.

[Bill DeShivs]

Thanks. I shopped it for a while and got several quotes.
The roofer that did my shop a few years ago did it. It was a fair price, but it still hurt.

[Wally J. Corpse]

Greetings, Mr. sammy the blade-

Alas and morass! Why dintcha' avail yourself to the in house Off Topic roofing Mensa team of WJC and DE ?
We would have been glad to review your structure, any substrate damages, and recommend a roofing system/product to suit your desires and needs.
Due to our wide massive and powerful influence, (nation wide), we may been almost practically certainly able to help you spend that k of 15 to our amusement...

AS ever,
Your ol' pal,
Wally J. Corpse

[sammy the blade]

I bought a metal roof or I wood have sent ya a bm, butt I appreciate the thought. Funny thing is this guy comes out for an estimate dressed like he works in a office. I'm thinking he's going to ask if he could use my ladder so I ask him if he needs one and a tape measure. He says don't need them and he gets the measurements off his laptop from a satellite, scarry shit there. Guess I won't be pissing off the roof anymore. Never know who could be watching anymore, could have been a good thing though.

[Twobit]

Hell, Sammy, give 'em a show. Serves them right for looking.

[Bill DeShivs]

We couldn't get anyone to give us a real quote on a metal roof. All the roofers acted like they didn't really know much about them. There were several companies that supposedly specialized in metal, but they were obviously not businesses I wanted to do business with. The quotes we got were at least double what the conventional roof cost.