Old timer at Mid-Michigan Forge told me to quench in veggie oil instead of water

Met a guy named Dave at Mid-Michigan Forge last month who said stop using water for quenching, try vegetable oil. I thought he was nuts since I'd been using water for 10 years. First time I tried it with a railroad spike knife, the steel came out way harder and didn't crack. Anyone else get advice from a stranger that actually worked out?

2 comments

2 Comments

emmawood1d ago

Dave at Detroit Steel Supply told me the same thing and my blades quit cracking overnight.

jamesm3823h ago

Told Dave he was full of it until I snapped a piece of rebar in veggie oil and it came out harder than a geometry test. @emwood knows what's up since that Detroit Steel fella clearly has the same brainwave as Dave. Guess I owe that old-timer a beer for saving me from cracked blades and a bruised ego.