[Crex]

I'm with Tai on the warmed vinegar to remove scale, but I also take my blades to a 320 finish before HTng. Makes for easier cleanup finish and moving on to the finer grits on the harder steel.
>>>Hundred ways to skin your neighbor's songbird-killing cat.<<<
Try windex or other window cleaner for cutting fluid when hand sanding up to the "polishing" stages. It will cut a little cleaner with less oily mess to clean up.

Play with it all and find what works for you best and easiest, because that's where you will wind up eventually.