So bear with me here, I'm still a blacksmith noobie and before I put hammer to metal I want to make sure I understand a majority of things first. I guess it's the way I was raised, I research as much as I can so I can have a better understanding going into it and so I can know what to expect for the most part.
So here is a little list of things I'm having trouble understanding.
1) Borax - (and or the white powder I see people putting on the hot steel) what is it, what does it do and do you need to have it
2) Water or Oil - Which is better for tempering or if not "better" what's the difference. I've heard of people using cooking oil
3) Annealing / Temping / Harding - Couldn't find a resource out there that really explains these in a step to step. I understand you form the metal, then you need to harden it and cure it but I don't know which steps these go in or the proper terms or how to do so. My understanding is when you are done with the blade you heat it then let it air cool, then heat up again and dunk it in water? From there I'm lost.
4) Galvanized - Whats the easiest way to identifiably pick this out so I know never to use it.
Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more noob questions down the way as I'm learning but I've been watching videos for the last 5 hours about blacksmithing and those are the ones that have been wracking my head.