Paragon Knife Oven KM18 - Heat Treating Furnace

ParagonHeat Treating OvenSKU KM18-BLUE
$3,165.75Regular price$3,350.00
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When it ships & how it's delivered · freight to your door

Paragon builds most kilns to order once your order is placed. We email your confirmed ship date and tracking.

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Authorized Paragon dealer · full factory warranty

Brand new and shipped direct from Paragon, so it carries Paragon's full factory warranty. If something goes wrong, call us and we handle the claim with the factory for you.

Warranty terms are in the Warranty and support section below.

Returns: request within 15 days, unused

Because kilns are heavy and often built to order, returns are limited, so we'd rather help you pick the right one up front:

  • Ask within 15 days of purchase or 2 days after delivery, whichever comes first. We issue a return authorization (RA).
  • It must be new, unused (beyond the factory test fire) and in its original packaging.
  • A restocking fee of at least 25% applies, up to 50% on custom, 3-phase or made-to-order units. Return freight is on the buyer unless we made an error.
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Will it work in my space? Power check

Not included: Paragon Knifemaking Heat Treating Kit (gloves, tongs, blade holders, firebrick supports) and gas inlet/flowmeter, both optional upgrades. Available in 120V or 240V. The 120V model draws 17 amps and needs a dedicated 20-amp circuit with a NEMA 5-20 receptacle.

Most 240V kilns need their own circuit and the matching outlet, installed by an electrician. Homes are usually 240V; schools and commercial buildings are often 208V, so pick the voltage that matches your panel.

Send us a photo of your breaker panel or outlet and we'll confirm before your kiln is built: 470-264-3563 (call or text).

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Paragon Knife Oven KM18 -...
$3,165.75
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Overview

Paragon · Heat Treating Furnace · Front-Loading Knife Oven Paragon Knife Oven KM18 KM18 · 120V or 240V · 18" Chamber Depth · Large Capacity · 2350°F Max Professional 18-inch deep front-loading heat treating furnace engineered specifically for knifemakers who need precise, repeatable hardening and tempering results in their own workshop. Fires to 2350°F maximum temperature, providing the ideal heat range for hardening, tempering, and annealing virtually any blade steel including high-carbon, tool steels, and stainless varieties. Chamber accommodates blades up to 18 inches long with even heat distribution for consistent edge-to-spine heat treatment.
Max Temperature2350°F (Cone 10)
Chamber Depth18" blade capacity
Voltage Options120V or 240V
ApplicationProfessional heat treating
What’s included
The oven, assembled and wiredParagon builds and wires it at the factory. The door style you chose is already fitted: a spring-assisted drop door or a side-swing door, both standard at the same price.
Digital controller, factory-installedParagon fits and wires the controller before the kiln leaves the factory. Paragon has been renaming and replacing its controller line and dealer listings are out of date at different dates, so we do not print a model name here. We confirm the exact controller with Paragon when you order.
Type-K thermocouple, installedFitted at the factory and wired to the controller. Type-K is standard across the current Paragon range.
Door safety switchWired in at the factory. It cuts power to the elements the moment you open the door, so you are not reaching into a live chamber.
Cord and plugParagon ships this kiln with a cord and plug. The receptacle type changes with the voltage option you order, so we confirm the exact plug — or whether your configuration is wired direct instead — with Paragon before the order goes in.
Printed manualsA printed instruction manual for the kiln and a separate guide for the controller. Warranty registration is done online at Paragon, and we do not promise a printed warranty card in the crate because we could not confirm one is packed.
Paragon limited warranty — one yearOne year from purchase on this model, per Paragon's published warranty schedule. Paragon does not warrant the Type-K thermocouple, so treat that as a wear part. Keep your proof of purchase.
Not includedNo shelves, posts or kiln furniture ship with a knife oven. The Knifemaker's Heat Treating Kit — four knife holders, eight firebrick supports, a heat treating fork and hot gloves — is a separate purchase, and so are the upgraded touchscreen controller and the gas-inlet option.
Key features
Digital Controller Programmable digital controller with precise temperature control for accurate heat treating cycles and ramping rates
Front-Loading Design Horizontal front door access for easy blade loading and viewing during heat treatment without heat loss
High-Temperature Elements Industrial-grade heating elements designed for consistent heat distribution and extended operational life at high temperatures
Insulated Brick Chamber Heavy-duty refractory brick insulation maintains even temperature throughout the 18-inch chamber depth for uniform heat treatment
Dual Voltage Capability Available as a 120V or 240V model (choose at order) to match your workshop electrical setup
Precision Thermocouple Accurate temperature sensing for reliable heat treating results across the entire temperature range
Technical specifications
ModelKM18
Chamber Depth18 inches
Maximum Temperature2350°F (Cone 10)
Voltage Options120V or 240V (specify at order)
Firing TypeElectric heat treating furnace
Loading StyleFront-loading horizontal chamber
Controller TypeDigital programmable controller
Blade CapacityUp to 18 inches long
InsulationHigh-temperature refractory brick
ApplicationHardening, tempering, annealing blade steels
Steel CompatibilityHigh-carbon, tool steels, stainless varieties
Warranty: One-year limited warranty from Paragon Industries. Must be registered within 30 days of delivery. Valid only through authorized dealers like Peach State Pottery.
Optional accessories
Gas Inlet Port Allows introduction of protective atmosphere gases during heat treating to prevent oxidation and decarburization on critical blades
Extra Thermocouple Backup Type K or Type S thermocouple for replacement or temperature verification across different chamber zones
Stainless Steel Tray Set Heat-resistant trays for organizing multiple blades during batch heat treating operations
Quench Tank System Dedicated quenching station with oil or brine tank for controlled cooling immediately after hardening cycle
Heat-Resistant Tongs Long-handled tongs designed for safely transferring hot blades from furnace to quench tank
Emergency Parts Kit Replacement elements, relay, thermocouple, and critical components to minimize downtime in professional shops
Controller upgrade
Genesis Touchscreen — Bartlett InstrumentsRecommended
Upgrade to Bartlett's Genesis touchscreen controller for intuitive programming, data logging, and advanced heat treating profiles with multi-segment ramp/hold capabilities perfect for complex knife steel recipes.
  • 7-inch full-color touchscreen with icon-based menu navigation
  • Store up to 100 custom heat treating programs with multi-segment ramp and soak profiles
  • Automatic temperature logging and firing history with USB export capability
  • Real-time graphing of temperature curves during hardening and tempering cycles
  • Alarm notifications for over-temperature, thermocouple failure, and program completion
  • Delay start timer and automatic shutoff for unattended operation
Common questions
What types of blade steels can I heat treat in the KM18?
The KM18 reaches 2350°F, which covers virtually all common knife steels including high-carbon steels (1095, 1084, 5160), tool steels (O1, A2, D2), and many stainless varieties (440C, AEB-L, 154CM). The 18-inch chamber depth accommodates everything from pocket knife blades to full-size chef's knives and machetes. For extremely high-alloy powder metallurgy steels requiring temperatures above 2100°F, verify your specific steel's heat treating requirements against the maximum 2350°F rating.
Do I need a gas inlet port for atmosphere control?
The gas inlet port is optional but recommended for professional knifemakers concerned about surface oxidation and decarburization. It allows you to introduce nitrogen, argon, or other protective atmosphere gases during the hardening cycle, which is especially important for stainless steels and when you want to minimize post-heat-treat grinding. For basic heat treating of high-carbon steels where you'll grind the blade afterward, the standard configuration without atmosphere control works perfectly fine.
What controller comes standard with the KM18?
The KM18 includes a digital programmable controller as standard equipment with adjustable temperature settings and basic ramp/hold programming. This controller provides accurate temperature control for straightforward hardening and tempering cycles. For advanced knifemakers who want multi-segment programs, data logging, and touchscreen operation, the Genesis controller upgrade is available and provides significantly more programming flexibility for complex heat treating recipes.
How does the KM18 compare to smaller knife ovens?
The KM18's 18-inch chamber depth is the key differentiator—it handles full-size blades that won't fit in 12-inch or 14-inch models. If you're making large bowies, swords, machetes, or chef's knives over 14 inches, the KM18 is necessary. For makers focused on folders, small fixed blades, or EDC knives under 12 inches, a smaller model may be more economical and heat up faster. The KM18 also accommodates batch processing of multiple smaller blades simultaneously.
Is this kiln covered under warranty if I buy from Peach State Pottery?
Yes. Peach State Pottery is an authorized Paragon dealer, which means your KM18 is covered by Paragon's full one-year limited warranty on parts and workmanship. You must register the furnace within 30 days of delivery directly with Paragon. Purchasing from an unauthorized dealer voids the manufacturer warranty, so always verify dealer authorization before buying heat treating equipment.
Not sure if the KM18 is the right furnace for your blades? Our team can help you compare chamber sizes, discuss your steel types, and recommend the right heat treating setup for your knifemaking operation.
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