What is the next best thing?

[Tai Goo]

Has anyone had a blade tested or looked at with this quench.

I think there have been smiths who have done tests and experiments with different quenching mediums, geometries, etc... in their shops... But I don't think there have been any extensive controlled laboratory tests and studies by scientists and steel manufacterers regarding "specifically" different types of knife blades and blade geometries etc... If there has, I'd sure like to hear about it.

That part is probably more left up to the engineers and industry to figure out.

 

[Tai Goo]

Of course you do have a few quacky bladesmiths out there, running around trying to convince people that they have found the "right way" and the "best way" and the “proper way” for every blade,... but I'd be a bit suspicious of that. LOL

You decide and evaluate your own blades the way you see fit.

 

[SteelSlaver]

Well, I am convinced the most fool proof thing to do with fast steel is use Parks 50. Being as I can be a fool and hate to go thru the heart ache of breaking blades to learn brine quenching, I have about 8 gallons of Parks. I do not think it is impossible to get the optimum quench on 1095 with something besides Parks or brine. I don't believe you can absolutely state that anything won't work until you have tried it, and tested it. Until I have a Rockwell tester I will stick with Parks. If one comes my way I will do some testing with other stuff. I believe Kevin's main point is very valid. Any old quench with any old steel and my grandpappy did it such and such a way is not a guarantee of the best results. I also believe that experience and long term use and checking results with valid testing is at least as good as a book.