Cru Forge V quenching

[kbaknife]

Thought you guys might like to see some quenching results.
It's not uncommon that I get distinct "zones" for I guess what we'll call quench "scale" when I am after hard edge and soft spine.
But I'll admit that I don't really recall the effect being so distinct and discernable. Almost as if there is a gradual layering of hardness from edge to spine as shown in the different "zones" of quench effect.
This is one of those blades that should be broken in half and sent off for serious testing.
I get similar results from file testing as I did the hunter I just finished.
She's in temper now, so I'll look at it more closely tomorrow.
Fun stuff!

 

 

[Lin Rhea]

Karl,
       I take it you full quenched the blade, since you have the clay on it. Did you go in the quench edge first or tip first? Lin

[kbaknife]

Full blade quench, Lin.
Austenized in my forge.
My quench tank is about 30 inches long, so I just plom 'em right down in edge first.
I love doing it that way and find it VERY effective. It gives consistant results along the entire edge.
Even though the file skated all along the side, I'll bet there's a differential hardness on the way up.
There just almost has to be with that visual stratifying.
Wish I had a high-tech gidgy-widget and I could look insde that thing.

[Jeremy]

I had a few blades that looked like that when I started playing with different quench mediums with 1095.  Doing a full quench in motor oil (hey, I was just starting out) I'd get a hard edge, fairly soft spine and a similar look as yours.  The oil couldn't get the steel cool fast enough.

Possibly the same issue here?

Nice looking blade  

[kbaknife]

No. The oil is just fine.
I'm thinking it's the combination of how I austenized the steel and possibly the effect that the alloy content had on the structure as it cooled.
This effect may have shown its result on the surface.
Interesting annomoly.