Quenched a 1084 blade in canola at 130 degrees and got a softer edge than I expected, so which side are you on
Last month I finished a small 1084 hunter and decided to quench it in canola oil warmed to about 130 degrees instead of my usual fast oil. I checked it with a file after tempering at 400 for two hours and the edge felt softer than I like, maybe 56 or 57 on my hardness files where I wanted 59 or 60. Here is the debate in my head: some folks say warm canola is plenty fast for 1084 and I just need a longer soak at temp, others say step up to a proper fast quench oil and stop guessing. I am leaning toward the second camp now, but I have maybe 4 blades of experience with 1084 so take this with a grain of salt. The part I cannot figure out is whether my 10 minute soak was too short or the oil just could not pull heat out fast enough on a 1/8 inch spine. Curious what you all run for 1084, and if you have a soak time that actually works for you, I would love to hear it.