I drill hardened steel only rarely and for that I use carbide. Pricey and if youi do not use them right they break like glass...it takes a special wheel to sharpen them. My day to day drill bits I use i get from harbor freight on sale. I think they come in a pack of six,,,,cheap. I rarely sharpen one..it is not worth the time. I drill steels that have been annealed. That includes high carbon steels like 1084, 1095, L6, 15N20, and 0-1. Also a few high carbon stainless such as 154 CPM, 440C and ATS 34. The key to drilling is not only speed but feed as well. For instance: 154 CPM work hardens really fast. If I am drilling and let off on the downforce a little bit the bit is not drilling and heats the contact area enough to harden it...that bit will not get through the hard spot. I can finish the hole with a carbide bit..I use twist carbide and not spade.
One issue I have with the HF bits is they are not sized correctly..The 3/32" bits are always undersized..so i use drills from other big box stores when needed.
There are charts for the speed you need for every size bit. I have not seen charts for down force needed.
Anneal that piece and then step through the heat process.