[Gary Mulkey]

Mark,

I don't use used steel and thus never worked with this particular steel but remember when straightening any blade that it is under a lot of stress immediately after quenching and is most likely to crack at this time.

Try quenching until barely black (slightly under the nose) and check for straightness. You should be 800-900 degrees at this time and you can straighten it then without so much chance of failure if you do it quickly enough. I wouldn't recommend straightening any time at less than 500 degrees. (Once you have it straight then continue your quench.)

Also, check the blade closely before H/T for an even grind. Often warping is simply having more steel on one side of the blade then on the other.

Good luck.

Gary