I have an interesting question to ask but it might be a stupid one? I recently watched a video on youtube about quenching and heat treating, the question is the guy said that smiths quench with the blade facing magnetic north to reduce the possibility of warping. Is this an old wives tale or does it hold any credibility?
I’m by far no expert on forging, but I think there might be something to it. I do know that with rifle barrels, there is a process called aligned cryogenic accurizing. The barrel is connected to leads basically turning the barrel into an electro magnet (magnetically aligning the the molecular structure) and placed into a cryogenic “deep freezer” which sets the alignment. I do know that absolutely does increase the accuracy of the rifle. So it would make sense to me that north quenching might achieve stronger blade with minimal deflection that holds it’s edge longer. The Japanese have used north quenching for centuries.
Quenching to north?
in Heat Treating Knives, Blades etc
Posted
I’m by far no expert on forging, but I think there might be something to it. I do know that with rifle barrels, there is a process called aligned cryogenic accurizing. The barrel is connected to leads basically turning the barrel into an electro magnet (magnetically aligning the the molecular structure) and placed into a cryogenic “deep freezer” which sets the alignment. I do know that absolutely does increase the accuracy of the rifle. So it would make sense to me that north quenching might achieve stronger blade with minimal deflection that holds it’s edge longer. The Japanese have used north quenching for centuries.