Using already hardened steel?

[Orson]

Hi all, new to the site.

I find myself up against a problem new to me: up against a sudden deadline, and the only 1060 steel I can get quickly comes already hardened. Can I soften it, forge a blade, and re-harden? I have always thought that was not a great idea. Any thoughts?

 

[JTknives]

I see no problem with just forging a blade out of it. Once you heat it to forging temp all hardness is gone.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Or if you said Forge a blade and meant do stock removal, then you would need to anneal it first. Heated up to Aus temp, then cool it slowly in a bucket of vermiculite.