temper question

[vannmann]

I got my hands on some 1" 1045 and plan on forging a few hawks, I was wondering what the hardening and tempering process should be for a hawk meant for chopping? I have done mostly blades so this part is new to me.

 

[wnease]

Austenitize 1580F for oil quench, temper 392F for RC 57, I wouldn't normally go softer than that for any cutting instrument if possible

Normalize at 1600 after forging

Just by the book... I haven't used 1045

 

[vannmann]

I can try oven tempering, wasnt sure how long to keep the oven at 392 degrees? can this be done with a big peice of steel like a hawk?