Heat control for carbon vs alloy steel

[Alan]

How do you change up your forging and hammering when you're working with carbon steel versus alloy steel?

 

[Tempered3dge]

When forging carbon steel, quick, cool strikes are best to keep the grain size right. But for alloy steels, go with slower, hotter hits to keep them bendable and stop cracks.

 

[thedailygrind]

Also watch your soak time closely. Carbon steel heats up fast but can easily get too hot, whereas alloy steels often need a longer, more gradual heating to avoid thermal shock and achieve even hardness