Thermal Cycles to refine Grain Structure(O1, 1084, 1095)

[Ed Fowler]

Thank you for the compliments, I am very pleased to read your plans. Remember, Critical when reached on the way up is very precise, if you let the blade cool too much you will be below critical, but the blade may still be non magnetic. Therefor you want to quench on a rising heat. If you heat too hot you may achieve upper matencite, this is not as desirable as lower martensite for a knife blade. My quench tank is exactaly 7 inches from my magnet, I heat the blades close to the magnet, a couple of inches and I can test for critical.

Proper hardening of blades is an art, practice makes perfect when you evaluate every blade for tough and cut, just keep asking questions of your blades and you will make the kind of knife you seek.