Time duration between tempering cycles?

[Londinium Armoury]

I was just wondering if there is an "optimal" duration between tempering cycles, I just shoved a knife in the oven, and I'm going to do my usual 2 cycles of tempering. (This is basic high carbon steel, not alloy)
Is there a specific time limit I should be letting the blade cool down before putting it back intot he oven for the second cycle? Or is just letting it get cool to the touch okay, because that's what i'm doing.
Thanks veteran sages.

 

[Daniel Carraher]

I cool it under running water and right back in the tempering oven

 

[Vincent Price]

I do the same. Too impatient to wait lol. Not to mention that the temperature isnt so high that we are making any molecular changes with dunking in water between temper cycles.

 

[Londinium Armoury]

I cool it under running water and right back in the tempering oven

Haha, I just did the same thing, I left it for 5 mins, checked on it, it was still hot so I thought F this and ran it under the tap.

 

[Londinium Armoury]

I do the same. Too impatient to wait lol. Not to mention that the temperature isnt so high that we are making any molecular changes with dunking in water between temper cycles.

That's what I figured, I usually let it cool down naturally, but it's like 9:30 pm and I still had a cycle to go. Good to know we are all cheating together in good company.

 

[weo]

we are all cheating together

This isn't cheating, it's merely good time management. If you're concerned about wasting the cup or two of water, then I guess it could be considered cheating.
Think about how much energy you're saving by not having the oven run for the 20 or so minutes it would take the blade to air cool.

 

[Londinium Armoury]

This isn't cheating, it's merely good time management. If you're concerned about wasting the cup or two of water, then I guess it could be considered cheating.
Think about how much energy you're saving by not having the oven run for the 20 or so minutes it would take the blade to air cool.

Good points, I just wasn't sure if the rapid cooling would have any effect on the tempering, I don't know the science behind the steel matrix and it's effects well enough to be 100% certain, I just like to double check, thanks for the input.

 

[weo]

I just like to double check, thanks for the input.

Sorry if that sounded harsh, not my intent. I was merely clarifying in case someone in the future came across this and didn't want them to think they were cutting corners.

 

[Londinium Armoury]

Sorry if that sounded harsh, not my intent. I was merely clarifying in case someone in the future came across this and didn't want them to think they were cutting corners.

No no it's fine, it wasn't harsh at all.