Heat-treating 1095 with stainless tool wrap
The classic high-carbon knife steel — simple, tough when done right, and forgiving to forge.
Recommended SSTW grade
Grade 321 stainless foil
1095 austenitizes at or below ~2000°F, so 321 stainless foil is the right everyday choice — full scale and decarb protection at a lower cost per roll.
Shop 321 tool wrap rolls1095 heat-treat reference
- Austenitizing temp
- 1450–1500°F
- Soak at temp
- 1–5 min
- Quench
- Fast oil or brine
- Temper
- 375–450°F, 2× 1 hr
- Typical uses
- Bushcraft, camp, and kitchen knives
General knifemaking guidance — always follow the steel manufacturer's published data sheet for your exact stock.
Why wrap 1095 in stainless foil
At 1500°F the bare surface of 1095 oxidizes and loses carbon (decarburization), leaving a soft, scaled skin you have to grind back past. Sealing the blade in SSTW 321 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.
1095 foil FAQ
Do I need stainless foil to heat treat 1095?
Wrapping 1095 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 1095, especially for air- and plate-quenched work where the blade sits at temperature.
Which SSTW grade should I use for 1095 — 309 or 321?
1095 austenitizes at or below ~2000°F, so 321 stainless foil is the right everyday choice — full scale and decarb protection at a lower cost per roll.
What temperature is 1095 heat treated at?
1095 is commonly austenitized around 1450–1500°F with a 1–5 min soak, then fast oil or brine and tempered (375–450°F, 2× 1 hr). Always confirm against the steel mill's published data sheet for your exact stock — these figures are general knifemaking guidance.
Ready to heat treat 1095 clean?
SSTW Grade 321 stainless tool wrap, sold by the roll and shipped from the USA.
Shop tool wrap rolls