Annealing with Kaowool?

[teejay1980]

Ok I need to anneal a blade and I've got leftover 1" kaowool from my forge build can I just sandwich a blade between two layers of it to cool slowly or do I need to just buy some vermiculite? Thanks

[Wazukie]

Just let it cool with the forge. Thats all I do.

[Ray Rogers]

The wool alone probably won't do a very good job of it. As Butch suggested, many just let it cool in the forge. How well that works will depend on what steel you're using and how your forge is constructed - try it and see how it works for you. If the steel is still too hard then get some vermiculite and put it in a large closed container like a 20 gallon metal trash can. Wood ash works even better than vermiculite if you can collect enough of it ....

[teejay1980]

Thanks guys ill just go the wood ash route and since its been colder shouldn't take to long to collect it from the fireplace. As always you guys are super helpful thanks again.

[Imakethings]

You can also wire the piece between two thicker plates and heat all that up. The greater thermal mass will slow down how quickly it cools.

[Crex]

>>You can also wire the piece between two thicker plates and heat all that up. The greater thermal mass will slow down how quickly it cools. <<

This - then bury in the ash or vermiculite while hot.