Like Mike,I like the intention and I am familiar with these methods, I call the 3rd one poor mans marquench although not exactly true it does have the advantage of avoiding thermal shock. For me the methodolgy needs tightening for experimental purposes as there's to many variable to be controled for results to be meaningful. Can't emphasise temperature control enough, mainly the forge but also the quenchant. These things can make significant diferences to the results. You need a way of keeping these things constant from test to test within reason. Having said that, unless you got the steel to hot you wouldn't have grain growth. Thermal cycling would refine the grain though. Hope this helps?

Joe