multiple quench

[neil g]

does anybody know if you can quench a blade more than once. I made a katana out of 1045 steel and quenched it in gunters super quench. I made a bowie the same way and the hamon turned out good. the quenchant was at the same temp as it was for the bowie and i heated them both up to past megnetic before quenching. I know people are saying why are you using 1045 when you could be using 1080 or 1095. I just wanted to see what it would turn out like. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I also scraped the clay off of the back of both blades , i cautious of cracking using super quench on 1045 and cracking.

 

[the possum]

Yes, you should be able to quench a blade more than once if the first attempt failed. (assuming you didn't really mess up the steel) The first quench may still leave a faint "shadow" hamon which may obscure or "wash out" the second one a bit, but should still be functional.

For a katana, I think your choice of 1045 is actually better than 1095 or 1080. The latter two are above the eutectoid point and will form plate martensite, which is less tough than the lath martensite type formed by lower carbon steels such as your 1045. The 1045 is shallower quenching, so super quench makes sense. It should be able to get a more vivid and contrasting hamon, and more blade curvature. But of course, 1050 and 1060 should do almost the same, while being able to attain higher hardness for edge strength...