High Mountain Fortress Forge
A Master Smith's Compendium on Steel Phases, Quenching, and Tempering
Plunging high-carbon steel from its incandescent Austenite state (850°C–950°C) into warm linseed oil forces carbon atoms to freeze inside the iron crystal lattice, transforming into needle-like Martensite.
• As-quenched hardness reaches 64–66 HRC.
• Warning: Untempered martensite is brittle like glass! Dropping it will shatter the blade. It must be tempered immediately.
Reheating in the temper oven relieves internal stress and restores flexural toughness:
• Sandstone Treadle: Grind away black forge scale and shape the secondary cutting bevel. Sharpness directly influences test cutting performance.
• Hilt Peening: Fit the crossguard, ribbed leather grip, and counterweighted pommel onto the tang. Strike the protruding steel tang with the ball peen hammer to mushroom the rivet head, locking the blade permanently.
"By the Heavens, this balance is divine! The edge bites through boiled leather like silk. The Citadel Watch shall sing of your craftsmanship!"