Quenching techique question

[Lo/Rez]

I don't think I have ever read anything on how you put the blade into the quench medium. Do you slowly lower it cutting edge first or plunge it in tip first as fast as possible? Somewhere in between? Does it matter? I'm guessing less cracked blades with a fast immersion, but it's just a guess.

 

[samuraistuart]

I always go quickly, not slowly. You can go either tip down or edge down. Some guys go spine down on thin knives when warping is a concern. If your tank is tall and thin....go tip first. If it is short in height, but long, go edge first. Always remember to agitate slightly...either tip to tang, or spine to edge. Never side to side.

 

[grizzled gizzard]

Mostly, there is edge quenching where the goal is differential hardening of the blade, and quenching tip first up to the point you want the ricasso area to be the transition zone from a hard blade to a softer tang.

+1 on quick immersion, and keeping the blade in line with your agitation motion. The faster the oil the more important you have your technique right too. The blade needs to be moving.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Tip down or edge down will probably have more to do with quench tank configuration.
I have both vertical tube and long/large horizontal tanks to suit blade style and hardening demands.
Daggers go point down in vertical tube.
Almost everything else goes edge down in large volume horizontal tanks.
Both as quickly as possible with main focus on safety.