Hi Guys,

I'm quite new to blade grinding, so go easy :-)

About a year ago, a Blacksmith over here in 'Middle Earth' kindly forged me a razor blank. As I didn't have a belt grinder at the time, it sat in my workshop forgotten.

After my new grinder arrived and I did some practice on mild steel blanks, I decided to give the forged blade a go.

It took a really long time to hollow grind - I'm down to about 2mm at the edge now - I know why it took so long.

I re-read the email from a year ago and the blacksmith had hardened and tempered the blade before sending to me :-).

Questions - have I likely ruined the original heat treatment - I have been cooling and using my hand - dipping in water when too hot to handle?

Shall I continue to shape and then finish-grind, or should the blade be heat treated again. I suppose I could just try finishing, honing and shaving?

Any thoughts appreciated