Read my post in the recent 3v heat treatment. We need to establish what terms mean what. “Normalizing” is way different than “thermal cycling”.
Technically speaking any heat that a blade undergoes is a thermal cycle to include tempers.
But for us knife makers they are 2 different operations going 2 different things.
After forging you NEED to normalize. For 1084 this is 1600-1650f. Air cool only. This may cause grain growth in 1084 especially if there is no Tungsten or vanadium to pin grain boundaries (keep grain small). The 1084 circulating has a small vanadium count. Good.
After normalizing, then “thermal cycle” at 1500f no more than 3 times. Air cool only, quench on the 3rd cycle if you like. Then harden at 1500f, quench.
To be on the safe side what I would do (since I am unaware of your exact process thus far)...
Normalize. 1600f. Equalize temp throughout blade and air cool.
Thermal cycle. 1500f 3 times. Air cool only/quench on the 3rd cycle if you like.
Harden: 1500f, equalize temp throughout blade, quench. Temper.
The normalizing heat will erase anything you have done previously (provided good forging techniques)
.030” is close to minimum but ok. To keep blades straight there are a few ways to do that. A search of this forum will bring up countless threads on that subject. Bottom line, you have time between 900f and roughly 200f to straighten with gloved hand or by the 3 point clamp method upon temper.
However, Normalizing will reduce the stress as well, and you may find it to be straight out of the quench after normalizing and cycling/quenching, provided you quench properly. (Up and down or edge to spine. Never side to side).
