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Thought I'd share some updated 2020 information about "Parks 50" quench.
I had purchased a small amount (1 gallon) in the past at high cost from Tracy at USA Knifemaker. Its the only place "Parks 50" shows up and is for sale.
*For those that don't know, Parks 50 is THE brand everyone knows and uses for fast 6-9 second, fast oil closest to water that also needs no heating before use and is important for steels with low hardenability so we can avoid using water and cracking more blades in quench.
I also prefer it over slower AAA for the steels and HT I use for higher hardness and less RA for slicers, chefs and light utility blades
However, I now needed MORE since I want to do 10" kitchen knives, etc and have a bigger quench tank to fill using a 81mm mortar ammo can I bought surplus for cheap online.
It seemed that when searching for "Parks 50" only USAKnifemaker had it, and it was curious as it seemed that "Parks Metallurgical" was no longer around so perhaps Tracy was selling a different water based fast oil but using the "Parks 50" name? So, there was some mystery and confusion.
I had a conversation with my friend Larrin about where he got his fast oil which was from Maxim, which I remember @Willie71 talking about here on Bladeforums and his "Maxim DT-48" which was another type of fast oil like Parks 50.
Well, Maxim no longer sells "DT-48"
They sell "#50 Quench"
http://www.maximoil.com/heat-treating-products
After exchanging emails and calling Carla, the Maxim Oil sales representative.
I purchased a 5 gallon pale for $100 with +50 for FedEx shipping from Maxim Oil in Texas.
Since I had Carla on the phone, I asked Carla some questions since I was very curious.
"#50 Quench" is still made by Parks Metallurgical facility but under a different name since the parent company "Heatbath Corp." was bought out by "DuBois Chemicals"
https://www.industrialheating.com/articles/92262-dubois-chemicals-acquires-heatbath-corporation
it's now under the name "#50 quench"
DuBois doesn't retail to individuals.
Maxim was selling DT-48 (Durathrem)for a time but stopped. Also Durathrem does not sell to individuals which angered a lot of knife makers at the time she told me.
Tracy and the guys from "KnifeDogs" talked to Maxim and they were able to get Maxim to distribute "#50 Quench" from DuBois Chemicals which is the same as "Parks 50"
Carla told me
"Maxim recognized the importance of this oil to knife makers and provide sales to individuals..."
it only comes in 5 gallon pales/buckets (no smaller/less) so it's a commitment for hobby guys.
I asked Carla what the difference was between DT-48 and Parks 50.
She stated "They are basically the same and have the same quench speed, although the DT-48 is cheaper. Parks 50 is more Proven and well known over the last 100 years"
Another gentleman made a detailed write up here
https://onemansblog.com/2016/03/14/where-to-get-parks-50-maxim-50-blade-quench-oil/
I had purchased a small amount (1 gallon) in the past at high cost from Tracy at USA Knifemaker. Its the only place "Parks 50" shows up and is for sale.
*For those that don't know, Parks 50 is THE brand everyone knows and uses for fast 6-9 second, fast oil closest to water that also needs no heating before use and is important for steels with low hardenability so we can avoid using water and cracking more blades in quench.
I also prefer it over slower AAA for the steels and HT I use for higher hardness and less RA for slicers, chefs and light utility blades
However, I now needed MORE since I want to do 10" kitchen knives, etc and have a bigger quench tank to fill using a 81mm mortar ammo can I bought surplus for cheap online.
It seemed that when searching for "Parks 50" only USAKnifemaker had it, and it was curious as it seemed that "Parks Metallurgical" was no longer around so perhaps Tracy was selling a different water based fast oil but using the "Parks 50" name? So, there was some mystery and confusion.
I had a conversation with my friend Larrin about where he got his fast oil which was from Maxim, which I remember @Willie71 talking about here on Bladeforums and his "Maxim DT-48" which was another type of fast oil like Parks 50.
Well, Maxim no longer sells "DT-48"
They sell "#50 Quench"
http://www.maximoil.com/heat-treating-products
After exchanging emails and calling Carla, the Maxim Oil sales representative.
I purchased a 5 gallon pale for $100 with +50 for FedEx shipping from Maxim Oil in Texas.
Since I had Carla on the phone, I asked Carla some questions since I was very curious.
"#50 Quench" is still made by Parks Metallurgical facility but under a different name since the parent company "Heatbath Corp." was bought out by "DuBois Chemicals"
https://www.industrialheating.com/articles/92262-dubois-chemicals-acquires-heatbath-corporation
it's now under the name "#50 quench"
DuBois doesn't retail to individuals.
Maxim was selling DT-48 (Durathrem)for a time but stopped. Also Durathrem does not sell to individuals which angered a lot of knife makers at the time she told me.
Tracy and the guys from "KnifeDogs" talked to Maxim and they were able to get Maxim to distribute "#50 Quench" from DuBois Chemicals which is the same as "Parks 50"
Carla told me
"Maxim recognized the importance of this oil to knife makers and provide sales to individuals..."
it only comes in 5 gallon pales/buckets (no smaller/less) so it's a commitment for hobby guys.
I asked Carla what the difference was between DT-48 and Parks 50.
She stated "They are basically the same and have the same quench speed, although the DT-48 is cheaper. Parks 50 is more Proven and well known over the last 100 years"
Another gentleman made a detailed write up here
https://onemansblog.com/2016/03/14/where-to-get-parks-50-maxim-50-blade-quench-oil/
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