1095 heat treat after normalize question

[melsdad]

I have a quick question. I have already been reading many of the pages on how to heat treat 1095. I am in the process of normalizeing as I type this. My blade is cooling from the first cycle at 1600°. My next cycle will be at 1500°, and third at 1400°. This is a stock removal blade of Aldo's 1095. I am not sure if all the cycles are necessary, but plan to do them anyways.

My question is: Do you have to heat treat the blade immediately after the normalzeing cycles, or can I wait till tomorrow to do the actual heat treating of the blade?

 

[LRB]

At that point, you can wait as long as you want to. All you've done is to prepare for the heat treat. The critical time is to get it into a first temper as soon as possible after quench, even if it is just a snap temper. As soon as you handle the blade bare handed after quench, get it into a temper.

 

[melsdad]

Thanks Wick!! I know to temper immediately after quenching, and that was my issue. I am doing the normalizing cycles at work tonight, but will not have time to quench, and get at least one 2 hour temper on the blade unless I stay at work till 2:a.m.