I finally realized most people heat treat way too fast and it ruins the blade

Was at a demo last Saturday over in Springfield and watched this guy rush through his whole quench. Hardened before the color even settled. I used to do the same thing until a mentor pulled me aside after I cracked my third blade in a row. Slow down, let the steel soak evenly. It's not a race. Anyone else notice this at local meets?

2 comments

2 Comments

anna_shah98d ago

My first forge was a 1950s rivet forge and I heat treated about 50 blades before I got one that didn't warp or crack. I think most beginners actually heat treat too SLOW and let the steel soak way too long which kills the grain structure. Fast doesn't automatically mean bad as long as the edge doesn't overheat before the spine comes to temp.

umaadams8d ago

Wait, "50 blades before one didn't warp or crack?" That's... that's a lot of ruined steel just for practice... I can't imagine tossing that many before getting the hang of it. I guess soaking too long makes sense for grain growth, but 50 blades sounds like a painful way to learn that lesson.