John: This is a tough challenge. I finish buff the balls using a loose musiline wheel loaded with Brownells 555 grey. Then start looking with some high powered spectacles, turning the ball in your hands. Every now and then you will see a directional grain pattern, draw a line with a felt pen along that line, then keep looking, soon you will see another, mark it and keep going. Average the lines and you should be close to the direction of the grain. I did not always get it exact, this would result in some beautiful grain swirls in the blades. These did not seem to hurt performance dramatically except when blades were tested to destruction. Heat treat and low temp forging kept the influence to a minimum. Just do the best you can. The larger the ball, the less significant the results as you will develop a significant grain flow. This used to take me a long time, now using the steel forged down from the 5 1/2 inch round bars there is no question.
Just remember, have fun with it! When you ace it, few will notice but you will know and that is what matters.
Your questions and comments excite me, WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF 52100 !!!
