So I am going to be making knives through the stock removal process. I will need to anneal the handle and spine of the blade. Does any one know if a propane torch will get 1095 down to about 45-50 rockwell?
Please read the HOT ROLL vs. COLD ROLL steel of this forum before using 1095 steel.
The best way to anneal steel, without making gigantic grain, is to heat it just below the austenizing temperature and let is soak for about an hour and then slowly cool to room temp. If you are buying the steel from the mill, it should be annealed if it is cold rolled and very soft to work but please read the HOT ROLL vs. COLD ROLL steel first.
If you heat the unhardened steel with a torch, you can actually give it some hardness by air hardening.
Warning, you are about to embark on a very exciting but demanding learning curve.