First, even if it's maybe not necessary, it can't hurt to normalize O1, right? Second, can I normalize and then heat treat later, or do I need to HT and quench right away?
Lastly, is the right way to do it heat it to 1450-1500 then air cool - two or three times? (I have seen 1600 degrees mentioned too)
I do stock removal and up until now I have just HT'd and tempered. I think the results have been OK but I haven't really put my first couple of knives "to the test" much. My current project is much bigger and coming out well so far and I want to do all I can not to mess it up.
Thanks.
Lastly, is the right way to do it heat it to 1450-1500 then air cool - two or three times? (I have seen 1600 degrees mentioned too)
I do stock removal and up until now I have just HT'd and tempered. I think the results have been OK but I haven't really put my first couple of knives "to the test" much. My current project is much bigger and coming out well so far and I want to do all I can not to mess it up.
Thanks.