Heat-treating Sandvik 14C28N with stainless tool wrap
Refined 13C26 with nitrogen — better corrosion resistance, still razor-keen.
Recommended SSTW grade
Grade 309 stainless foil
Sandvik 14C28N austenitizes around 2000°F — above ~1800°F — so 309 stainless foil holds up to the heat and longer soaks without embrittling.
Shop 309 tool wrap rollsSandvik 14C28N heat-treat reference
- Austenitizing temp
- 1925–2000°F
- Soak at temp
- 10–15 min
- Quench
- Plate quench
- Temper
- 300–400°F, 2× 2 hr
- Typical uses
- EDC, kitchen, production knives
General knifemaking guidance — always follow the steel manufacturer's published data sheet for your exact stock.
Why wrap Sandvik 14C28N in stainless foil
At 2000°F the bare surface of Sandvik 14C28N oxidizes and loses carbon (decarburization), leaving a soft, scaled skin you have to grind back past. Sealing the blade in SSTW 309 stainless tool wrap keeps oxygen off the steel through the soak and quench, so it comes out of the kiln bright with full hardness right to the edge — less post-heat-treat grinding, no decarb surprises.
Sandvik 14C28N foil FAQ
Do I need stainless foil to heat treat Sandvik 14C28N?
Wrapping Sandvik 14C28N in stainless tool wrap before the kiln prevents surface scale and decarburization, so the blade comes out clean with the carbon at the edge intact. It is strongly recommended for Sandvik 14C28N, especially for air- and plate-quenched work where the blade sits at temperature.
Which SSTW grade should I use for Sandvik 14C28N — 309 or 321?
Sandvik 14C28N austenitizes around 2000°F — above ~1800°F — so 309 stainless foil holds up to the heat and longer soaks without embrittling.
What temperature is Sandvik 14C28N heat treated at?
Sandvik 14C28N is commonly austenitized around 1925–2000°F with a 10–15 min soak, then plate quench and tempered (300–400°F, 2× 2 hr). Always confirm against the steel mill's published data sheet for your exact stock — these figures are general knifemaking guidance.
Can I use 321 foil for Sandvik 14C28N?
321 works for many sub-1800°F heat treats, but Sandvik 14C28N runs hot enough that 309 stainless foil is the safer choice — it tolerates the higher austenitizing temperature and longer soaks without embrittling.
Ready to heat treat Sandvik 14C28N clean?
SSTW Grade 309 stainless tool wrap, sold by the roll and shipped from the USA.
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