Procedure? Im just asking for Comformation please

[S.Grosvenor]

Good morning Men, (and now ladys)

I'm HTing a 352 layer 10" Chef's this morning, W2/1095/15n-20 mostly w2, the recent thread by Bladesmith brings me to question my process.

So, Normalize first : 1650 cool to black water quench
1250 cool to black water quench
900 cool to black water quench.

HT @ 1435 and hold at that temp for 15 min then quench in Parks 50

Immediately Temper (with clamps as per Rick, Salem, etc) 2hrs @425 water quench and repeat one more time

This is how i've done it the last 2 yrs, but after re re re re reading the recent posts I just wanted to make sure this is a sound procedure

 

[JMJones]

1435 sounds good if you are looking for a hamon however with damascus you typically want it fully hard to that it etches evenly. I have gotten "hamon clouds" using w2 damascus at 1450 using parks 50. They dont etch well look blotchy. I have recently bumped the temp to 1500 and used greater agitation in the quench, with better results. Your milage may vary, good luck.

 

[S.Grosvenor]

Thank you John

EDIT to Say, Thanks again, Came out straight as a wedding ... oh well It came out Straight and the initial etch looks real good!:thumbup: