Beginner S.S. Heat treating?

Hey guys.
Im in process of finishing my heat treat oven.

Any recomendations of an "easy' S.S. to start out with. Here is what I have in mind using the recipes listed from Admiral Steel. Seems a little vauge in the quench methods though.
I will investigate other steels you guys recommend .

440C Stainless

Typical Analysis

C 1.03 Mn .44 P.025 S.001 Si .65 Ni .30 Cr 16.68 Mo .50 Cu .16

Hardness

R/B 92-95



Heat Treating Information

Initial Quench Temperature - 1850°F-1950°F max

Hold for 30-45 minutes

Quench in warm oil or air cool

Do not overheat (too much time or too high temperature)



Hardening & Tempering Information

300°F - 1 hour - R/C 60

500°F - 1 hour - R/C 57

800°F - 1 hour - R/C 56



ATS-34 Stainless

Typical Analysis

C 1.02 Mn .40 P.025 S.002 Si .24 Cr 13.66 Mo 3.52

Hardness

R/B 97



Heat Treating Information

Initial Quench Temperature - 1850°F-1958°F max

Hold for 30 minutes

Quench in warm oil



Hardening & Tempering Information

572°F - 1 hour - R/C 56-57

932°F - 1 hour - R/C 58-59

I just noticed the " hardening and Tempering" section of the ATS-34 reads this.

Hardening & Tempering Information

572°F - 1 hour - R/C 56-57

932°F - 1 hour - R/C 58-59 .......Does this sound correct? Higher temps will make the rockwell higher?

Here is what I use for ATS-34, 154CM and CPM-154.


Heat oven to 1950, place foil wrapped packet in oven. When temp comes back up hold for 20 minutes. Quench between plates in foil packet. Remove from foil and into liquid nitrogen for about 6-8 hours or over night. Temper at 375 for two hours two times. This consistently gives me 60-61 RC. Temper at 1200 for two hours two times on springs for 46-47 RC. I am using 3/32 or thinner stock for folders. These temps are what works with my equipment. I do check every piece with a hardness tester.

There is a higher tempering range for these steels also I think it is called secondary hardening? But you give up a little corrosion resistance and toughness. Check out Cruciable steel website and Evenheat website. Most of the soak times listed are for one inch thick pieces.

Craig

440C is a good SS to work with, it grinds good and makes a great blade, without the cryo treatment, though that would improve it. My heat treat for 440C is, wrap blade in foil, place in oven, ramp to 1200 F hold for 15 min. and ramp to 1880 F and hold for 15 min. then quench between aluminum plates, you can leave it wraped in foil or unwrap and then place between plates and clamp plates down. I temper at 325 F for 2 hours and repeat the temper cycle after the blade cools to room temp.

Thanks for the replies.
Im not ready to try the cryo yet.Maybe down the road. cool 1
I am interested in using the aluminum plates to quench though. That seems within my reach at the moment and something I cant screw up.

The 440 c says to quench in warm oil. I am guessing a slow oil will be fine since its air hardening also?

The ATS - 34 says to use warm oil for the quench. Will the aluminum plates be ok for this and an 11 sec oil ?

Skip the oil and just use the plates on any air hardening steel!!