PSA: I keep seeing people quench their workpieces way too hot

Honestly, I was at a local hammer-in last weekend and watched three different folks pull their steel from the forge and dunk it immediately. Ngl, you could still see the orange glow. That's a surefire way to crack or warp your piece, especially with something like 1080. I always wait until it's a dull cherry red, barely glowing in daylight. Has anyone else noticed this, or am I just being too careful?

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grace_perry446mo ago

Yeah, the dull cherry red thing you said is the only way to go. I mean, quenching from a bright orange is just asking for trouble. It shocks the steel way too hard. I learned that the hard way with a cracked blade ages ago. Now I wait until it's not even really glowing, just kind of a dark shadow in the light. It feels like you're waiting forever but it's worth it.

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the_kai4mo ago

Waiting until it's just a dark shadow worked for me too, no cracks since.

5

mason.faith6mo ago

My old mentor in Kentucky always said to quench at a black heat, not even a dull red. That extra wait really helps with 1095.

2