What exactly makes Parks more versatile? What does “versatile” mean with respect to a a quench oil?
My intent for asking wasn’t to start a “Ford vs Chevy” debate, but more to see who has used it and what their experiences are. I understand that Parks 50 is the standard, but the possibility of another good option isn’t a bad thing, especially if it comes with a more user-friendly retail distribution channels. I like options.
Well, Parks 50 is faster which means you can get away with quenching some of the water hardening steels like 1095, 26C3 if set up correctly.
There are also some conditions even with higher hardenability steels that may benefit from a faster quenchant to out pace diffusion since Dr Larrin has shown that the microstructure that can be set up prior to austenitizing does have an effect on hardenability.
One of my favorite benefits is the operating temperature range for Parks 50 is 60-120f
So, it's more versatile in that it doesn't require being heated up before quenching especially for steels with good hardenability.
The parks 50 has a proven track record and lots of testing has been done with it by lots of makers.
So, if any issues with hardening come up you do not have to second guess your quenchant.
If you heat treat, problems come up from time to time and require problem solving and deduction. So not having to think about the oil, that's worth something.
In conclusion, Parks 50 is a more versatile oil, once you buy it you never have to think about oil again and can worry about more important aspects to making knives.
If you buy some of the more random stuff you might just make quenching oil testing into your new hobby but I don't think you have to reinvent the wheel if you don't want to.
Just get the 50 quench (parks 50) and move on to more important things.
