QuenchFast oil (Parks 50); benefits from a thermal-cycle / spheroidize prep
Cryo / sub-zeroOptional — optional dry ice for max hardness
Temper2× 2 h · cool to room temp between cycles
Reliable hardness58–64 HRC
High-carbon chromium bearing steel — fine grain, excellent edge. Pre-cycle for best carbide distribution.
Temper → hardness chart
Approximate HRC after a double-temper at each temperature (from the sources below). Set your target and pick the matching temper.
Temper °F
Temper °C
Hardness
300°F
149°C
64 HRC
350°F
177°C
62 HRC
400°F
204°C
60 HRC
450°F
232°C
58 HRC
Composition (typical, wt%)
Element
%
C
1%
Cr
1.45%
Mn
0.35%
Si
0.25%
AISI 52100 typical
HeatTreatBench — the recipes in your shop, offline
Get the full 52100 recipe plus 25 more steels offline — set your target HRC and the app gives you the exact temper, with a forge timer and a per-blade log. Works in the shop with no signal.