Another Heat Treat Question...

[CDHumiston]

I've been reading every heat treat thread I can find and I keep coming across a very similar process for 1084. This has to do with heat treating in a small gas forge.

I need to start by saying I'm doing strictly Stock Removal with steel from Admiral and Alpha. I am not Forging, just using the small forge to heat treat until my oven arrives.

The question is about the Normalizing process. Is it really necessary when doing stock removal with know steel? I get the idea that it's not, but I'm unsure...

 

[Bigfattyt]

Are you asking about normalizing to make grinding easier, or grain refinement?

Grain refinement process I would still do.

Do you have an thermocouple available?

 

[CDHumiston]

Are you asking about normalizing to make grinding easier, or grain refinement?

Grain refinement process I would still do.

Do you have an thermocouple available?

I'm talking about heat treating for grain refinement. The step after grinding out my profile before final grinding.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Thermal cycling will normalize the steel and refine the grain. In a forge HT it is important to get the steel as ready for hardening as possible. Doing a three step refinement is a wise choice.
There are a variety of ones to choose from, but most are pretty much the same:
1) Heat to about 1650°F (bright orange) and hold for a short while. Let slow cool in the air until black.
2) Heat to about 1500°F (medium red) and hold for a short while. Quench in oil.
3) Heat to just below magnetic (dull red) , hold for a short time, and let slow cool in air to room temperature.

The blade should be fully soft, of proper structure and grain, and ready to harden.

 

[CDHumiston]

These were a couple of old 1080 blades I screwed up.

How does this heat treat look? It was in a stable forge at very close to 1485 + or - 5 degrees
2 minute soak and a quench in Canola Oil which is all I have at the moment...