Get fast, reliable hardness without water-quench risks. Parks 50 is a professional fast quench oil engineered for shallow-hardening, high-carbon steels (e.g., 1095/1084/1080, W1/W2). It cools like water early in the quench, then slows through the martensite phase to minimize cracking and warping—exactly what small shops and knifemakers need for repeatable heat-treat results.
Why makers upgrade to Parks 50 (Common workarounds vs. the fix):
Water/Brine – Very fast but harsh; promotes cracking/warp from thermal shock and vapor-jacket issues. Parks 50 provides comparable early-stage speed with a controlled cooling curve that reduces stress and distortion.
Vegetable oils (e.g., canola/peanut) – Medium/slower oils with variable performance by brand, age, and temperature; can miss peak hardness in shallow-hardening steels. Parks 50 is a true fast oil (Nickel Ball ~7–9 s) designed to hit the nose quickly for steels like 1095/1084.
Used motor/ATF/hydraulic "mystery" oils – Unpredictable cooling curves; smoky and inconsistent from batch to batch. Parks 50 is purpose-formulated for heat treating so you get consistent quench speed and cleaner results.
Generic medium-speed quench oils – Fine for deeper-hardening alloys, but often too slow for 10xx/W-series. Parks 50 sits in the fast-oil class specifically used to maximize hardness in these steels.
Polymer quenchants – Effective in controlled industrial setups but require precise mixing and bath management. Parks 50 is simple, ready to use in the recommended 50–120°F range.
Technical specifics makers care about
Nickel Ball time: 7–9 seconds @ ~100°F (fast oil class)
Recommended bath range: 50–120°F
Flash point: >275°F
Viscosity @ 100°F: >5.8 cSt
Designed to reduce vapor blanket; noted for low drag-out
Compatibility: Optimized for simple high-carbon steels (10xx family, especially 1095/1084/1080) and W-series (W1/W2). For air-hardening stainless and high-alloy tool steels, follow the steel maker's recommended quench (often plate or air).
Use & Care: Use a properly sized quench tank and agitate the oil. Keep parts fully submerged until below flaming temperature. Do not overheat the bath; keep ≤120°F for spec speed and safety.
Safety: Handle like any industrial quench oil. Review the Safety Data Sheet and use PPE and ventilation. Hazards include aspiration if swallowed and eye/respiratory irritation—store away from ignition sources.