Redneck Annealing

[Shoki]

This is probably a silly question but I have to ask.

Does anyone know if a conventional electric oven on 'clean' setting will anneal a piece of hardened steel? I don't think it would but I seem to remember someone waaay back heating up a file with an electric stovetop burner, putting a propane torch flame to it at the same time and then sticking it in the oven on 'clean'. Sounds nuts, I know, but I don't remember if it worked or not.
I ask because I can't set up a forge at my current place and I've got a piece of bitch-hard steel that I'd like to be able to work on.

 

[Russ Andrews]

No....it'll get 5-600f. You need 1600+....depending on steel type.

 

[Shoki]

Figured.
Thanks!

 

[Will Leavitt]

And you may want to join us in the maker's forums iffen you got more questions like that

 

[Larrin]

A poor anneal is one of the easiest ways to have a poor knife. I don't understand why so many makers want to lower their standards for the anneal, even some makers who agonize over other processes that are less important!