Need help testing rockwell of 1084 in Evenheat Rampmaster kiln

[Dr Feelgood]

Hi ! Its been a while since my last visit. I am setting up to do a bunch of heat treating of 1084 in an Evenheat kiln with Rampmaster control. Im trying to work a few bugs out of the system. These are hunting knives from flat bar stock (canadian knife maker supply) Aiming for RC of 59-60.
I would like to test the kiln to see what temperature and quench time is best for achieving the desired effect on this steel. I have cut 10 small strips of the 1084 steel all about three inches long by half inch wide.
I plan on heating them to 1500 degrees then soaking the first one at temperature for two minutes... The next one at four minutes and so on. Quenching in canola. Then tempering. Because they got quite hot in the cutting process I would like to Anneal them beforehand by bringing all 10 pieces to 1500 for ten minutes then allowing them to cool slowly in the kiln overnight. I would appreciate it if somebody could just review my theory and let me know if it makes sense. Any other thoughts are also appreciated thanks !

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Final Rockwell hardness is a factor of the temper, not the quench. Always do the quench as per the specs for the steel.

Heat to 1500°F
Allow to become equalized ( all the blade at the same temperature) - usually 1-2 minutes
Quench in fast oil to room temperature
Temper immediately, two hours, twice ( 400°F should give you about Rc 60-61, 450°F Rc 58-59)

Soak time beyond equalization is not needed for 1084....and no benefit or harm will occur from extending this time. If doing several blades at a batch, allow the oven to rebound for a few minutes between pulling the blades.