answersLogoWhite

0

When it is hot - plunge it into cold water to realign the atoms to make the blade stronger.

Quench in oil for blackened finish

You quench a sword when it has reached its upper critical temperature. This hardens the blade by "freezing" the martensitic phrase of the steel's molecues. It is then necessary to temper the blade as it is much too hard and brittle to be of any use directly after tempering.

Water; especially cold water, is neverrecommended. This would result in a much too fast and uneven quenching medium. It would very likely result in a cracked or broken blade. Oil is generally used-and recommended. It cools much more uniformely and doesn't cause excessive stress from too fast of a quench time.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?