Does this color mean I messed up Heat Treat?

[frankdelalla]

I just finished hardening 2 A2 blades for the first time. I'm surprised by the color. Here's a link to a picture: https://www.dropbox.com/s/30ucrxfm189v6t0/photo apr 15, 1 47 44 pm.jpg?dl=0

I expected them to be grey, but you see it's not.

I got them up to 1765 and held for 45 minutes. I took them out and let them hang while in the stainless foil until I could hold them. Did I do wrong?

I've scratched it with Rockwell files, but I'm not confident I really know how to use those yet to tell for sure.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, folks!

Edit: BTW, this blade was one I messed up so bad that I turned it into a neck knife. Keeping it. I've got a lot to learn!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

That is a normal surface color from stainless and high alloy HT in foil. Don't worry about it. It will sand off in clean up, or soak in acid for a short time.

 

[frankdelalla]

That's good news. Thanks a lot!