Call 470-264-3563 for a phone-only kiln price + a free gift
Questions? Talk to a real kiln expert: 470-264-3563

Paragon Knife Oven - KM18 Pro

ParagonHeat Treating OvenSKU KM18PRO-BLUE
$4,536.00Regular price$4,800.00
Save $264.00

Color Blue
Configure your kiln Not sure? Call 470-264-3563
Add it to this order Upgrades & add-ons
Kiln Controller
Want a custom package? Phone orders get special pricing + a free gift. 470-264-3563

Secure checkout · No sales tax outside Georgia

Buy with confidence

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.

  • The freight carrier calls you to book a delivery window.
  • Delivery is curbside with a liftgate. Have a helper or hand truck to move it inside.
  • Check the crate before you sign. Note any damage on the receipt and send us photos.

Enter your ZIP in the freight estimate below to see the delivered cost.

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.
  • Damaged in transit? Note it on the delivery receipt, send us photos and we'll help with the freight claim.

Read the full return policy

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. Requires 240V, 23 amps, with a NEMA 6-30 receptacle. Call us to confirm the plug type for your shop before ordering.

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).

More ways to save · wire, school & military pricing
Not ready yet? Email me this build + a phone-only price

We'll email your exact build with a phone-only price, usually within one business day. No spam.

Estimate your freight
Enter your ZIP and we'll price this kiln plus anything ticked above.
Talk to a kiln expertCall for a phone-only price
  • Phone-only pricing on kilns & packages
  • Free gift with your kiln order
  • Voltage, breaker & venting answers in minutes
Paragon Knife Oven - KM18...
$4,536.00
Call

Overview

Paragon · Heat Treating Oven · Knife Making Paragon Knife Oven - KM18 Pro KM18 Pro · 240V · Space-age ceramic fiber construction · Fires to 2350°F Professional-grade knife heat treating oven engineered specifically for bladesmiths who demand precision control over hardening, tempering, and annealing processes. Built with space-age ceramic fiber insulation that reaches 500°F in minutes—dramatically faster than traditional brick kilns—while consuming significantly less energy. Features long-lasting wavy surface-mounted heating elements that dissipate heat rapidly and extend element life far beyond conventional designs.
Max Temperature2350°F (Cone 10)
ConstructionSpace-age ceramic fiber insulation
Voltage240V single-phase
Heat-Up TimeReaches 500°F in minutes
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
Space-age ceramic fiber insulation High-performance insulation that heats rapidly and conserves energy compared to traditional brick construction
Wavy surface-mounted heating elements Long-lasting element design mounted in walls that dissipates heat rapidly and significantly extends element life
Digital controller Programmable digital controller for precise temperature management during heat treating cycles
Professional heat treating chamber Purpose-built chamber designed for knife blades and small tools requiring controlled hardening and tempering
Technical specifications
ModelKM18 Pro
Maximum Temperature2350°F (Cone 10)
Insulation TypeSpace-age ceramic fiber
Heating ElementsLong-lasting wavy surface-mounted elements in walls
Voltage240V single-phase
Heat-Up PerformanceReaches 500°F in minutes
ApplicationKnife and blade heat treating (hardening, tempering, annealing)
Made InUSA
Warranty: One-year limited kiln warranty from Paragon. Must be registered within 30 days of delivery. Valid only through authorized dealers like Peach State Pottery.
Optional accessories
Gas inlet port for atmosphere control Allows introduction of inert or reducing atmosphere gases during heat treating for specialized steel applications
Additional shelving and furniture Ceramic fiber boards and posts for configuring blade placement and maximizing chamber capacity
Type K thermocouple replacement Replacement thermocouple for maintaining accurate temperature readings over time
Emergency parts kit Spare relays, fuses, and critical components to minimize downtime in production environments
Controller upgrade
Genesis Touchscreen — Bartlett InstrumentsRecommended
Upgrade to Bartlett's Genesis touchscreen controller for advanced heat treating programs with precision ramp/soak capabilities, multi-step profiling for complex steel recipes, and intuitive touch interface designed for exacting temperature control during hardening and tempering cycles.
  • Large 4.3" full-color touchscreen with real-time temperature graphing
  • Store up to 32 custom heat treating programs for different steel types
  • Precision ramp and soak control for critical transformation temperatures
  • Multi-step program capability for quench timing and temper cycles
  • Delay start and hold functions for unattended operation
  • USB data logging for quality control documentation and repeatability
Common questions
What types of steel can I heat treat in the KM18 Pro?
The KM18 Pro reaches 2350°F, making it suitable for heat treating most common knife steels including 1095, 1084, 5160, 52100, O1, A2, and many stainless steels like 440C and AEB-L. High-alloy stainless steels requiring temperatures above 2000°F (like S30V, S35VN, or CPM steels) can be hardened, though you may need atmosphere control for optimal results. Carbon and low-alloy steels that harden between 1450-1550°F are ideal for this oven.
Do I need a gas inlet for atmosphere control?
Most carbon steel heat treating can be done successfully in an air atmosphere without gas inlet. However, if you work with high-alloy stainless steels or want to minimize decarburization and scale formation on any steel, adding an optional gas inlet port for inert atmosphere (argon or nitrogen) or reducing atmosphere gives you better control over surface finish and edge retention. Many bladesmiths start without atmosphere control and add it later as their work advances.
What controller comes standard with the KM18 Pro?
The KM18 Pro includes a programmable digital controller as standard equipment, allowing you to set precise temperatures and hold times for hardening and tempering cycles. For bladesmiths who want more advanced programming—such as multi-step ramp/soak profiles for complex heat treating schedules or data logging for production work—the Genesis touchscreen upgrade is available and offers significantly more control and documentation capability.
How does the KM18 Pro compare to brick kilns for knife making?
The ceramic fiber construction heats up to 500°F in just minutes compared to 45-60 minutes for traditional brick kilns, saving significant time and energy. The fiber insulation also cools faster, allowing you to run more heat treating cycles per day. The wavy surface-mounted elements last longer than elements in brick kilns because they dissipate heat more efficiently. The trade-off is that fiber kilns require more careful handling—avoid touching the fiber walls—while brick kilns are more durable for rough shop environments.
Is Peach State Pottery an authorized Paragon dealer for warranty service?
Yes, Peach State Pottery is an authorized Paragon dealer. Your one-year limited warranty is valid when purchased through us, provided you register the oven within 30 days of delivery. Buying from an authorized dealer ensures you receive factory support, genuine Paragon parts, and warranty service. We can also help you troubleshoot heat treating issues and recommend the right accessories for your specific steel types and blade work.
Not sure if the KM18 Pro is the right heat treating oven for your blade shop? Our team can help you compare models, discuss atmosphere control options, and ensure you have the right setup for your steel types. We're an authorized Paragon dealer serving bladesmiths and knifemakers throughout Atlanta and the Southeast.
Talk to an expert →