ABE-L Mistake (Any recovery?)

[Jwgriesser]

I did the following:
1. Heat to 1560
a.1920 Austentize (Ramp to 1940)
b. temper at 350 twice for two hours each.

c. I didn't do cryo

I received this message from Alpha Knife Supply:
If you do not cryo AEB-L, you will have a mediocre blade. Cryo (or subzero) increases edge holding buy as much as 30%. You must cryo immediately after quenching when the blade gets to room temperature. Waiting to cryo even a couple hours makes a huge difference. Cryo converts retained austenite to martensite (hard steel). If you delay cryo, the retained austenite stabilizes and will not convert to martensite.

Let me start by saying "I" made the mistake. It is good that Alpha has charts for the steels. Is there any way to recover?

1. Can I heat treat again and do cryo and temper?
2. Live with pearing knifes at 50 RC or less?
3. Pitch the blades and start over?

Any advice would be appreciated!!

Dr. Jay

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Do 1.
I tinker with aebl quite a bit. Often, I re-ht a aebl blade up to 3 times (before recycle bin it). Not that uncommon for me to get 64rc for all 3 hts w/ cryo (subzero w/ dryice should works fine). With proper decarb protection (ss foil) and stock thicker than 0.1", you can probably re-ht more than 3 times. I threw my sample after 3 times due to drastic testing ht params.

 

[Jwgriesser]

Thanks you for the advice.
Jay