Corrosion resistance is a key attribute of stainless steel. Other properties, less so. And some of these other properties may be important to what you’re making.

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But heat treating can be complex. That’s particularly true with stainless steel, a popular choice for knife makers and other hobbyist artisans.

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After hardening, steel is brittle. Temper to improve toughness. Heat the steel to a lower temperature than the hardening process and then allow it to cool slowly.

Other treatments will depend on the type of stainless steel (which we'll get to in just a moment) and the needs of the specific application. But the most common reasons for heat treating these metals are hardening, stress relieving (to offset manufacturing stresses) and improving abrasion resistance.

Heat the metal up to a level below its critical temperature limit (sometimes higher than in tempering) and hold it there for a time. Use it to improve the stability and dimensional accuracy of a finished product.

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For some stainless steels that you can’t harden via standard methods, use precipitation hardening. This process involves heating the metal to a specific temperature for a certain time, followed by cooling. The result forms intermetallic compounds that increase strength and hardness without increasing brittleness.

As you can see, heat treatment processes vary between the types of stainless steel and what you’re using it for. If you’re making a stainless steel knife, for example, here are a few heat treatments you may need.

Other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, and manganese are present in some stainless steels to improve their properties.

Heat metal to a temperature above its critical range, followed by rapid cooling. This process changes the microstructure of the metal from austenite to martensitic stainless steel. The hardness and strength of the metal are increased, but the brittleness can make it less suitable for some applications. To overcome this, temper it (see below), reducing brittleness and improving toughness.

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Stainless steels are alloys—mixtures of two or metals and a nonmetal. Unlike your basic 01 tool steels and other carbon steels, which are high in carbon, “stainless” steel means an alloy steel that’s mostly iron and at least 10.5% chromium. In stainless steel production, the chromium forms an oxide barrier that provides strong corrosion resistance.

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Take ductility, for example. It refers to the ability to stretch or bend under stress without breaking or cracking. Ductility is a valuable property for knives. You can't do much with a broken blade. And you can improve ductility by heat treating.

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Finding the right recipes to heat treat different kinds of stainless steel can be a challenge. That's why we've put together the following guides for a variety of materials:

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your skills, this guide will give you the knowledge to make the cut with your stainless steel heat treatments.

Hobbyists, craftspeople, and manufacturers across many industries value stainless steels, with good reason. But heat treating is essential to realizing the full advantages of stainless steel.

Heat the material to a specific temperature, hold it at that temperature for a certain period, then slowly cool it. This process softens the steel and improves its ductility and machinability. This can be beneficial if you will be doing a lot of forging or shaping.

Your complete source for heat treating trends and tips for Machnisits, Makers, Knifemakers, Potters, Jewelry and Glass ArtistsClick here for our latest blog articles.

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There are lots of types of stainless steel, each with different mechanical properties, hardness levels, etc. You probably don't need or want to memorize them all. But the main types are divided into five categories based on their microstructure and alloying elements.

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So we’ve put together this guide to take you through the basics of heat treating stainless steel for knife making or other pursuits. We’ll cover what you need to know about the different stainless steel types and the right heat treatments for your products.

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Getting the results you want as an amateur metalworker is about more than shaping and machining your metal. Whether you like to make knives or other products, heat treating is a must to strengthen steel and improve other properties such as hardness, and flexibility.

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Heat the steel to a temperature high enough to dissolve any detrimental precipitates in the microstructure. Then quench it (cool it fast, unlike regular annealing) to lock the dissolved atoms in the solid state. This process improves corrosion resistance, strength, and ductility. Solution annealing restores corrosion resistance after welding or other fabrication processes.

We hope this article gives you the knowhow to ensure the best results for your knives or whatever else you enjoy making. Remember to approach heat treating with great care. Good luck advancing your craft!