The bit of rust that forms during the last quench is removed with coarse steel wool.    Then the tine end is placed in the forge and heated until it just barely begins to glow red.   This relaxes the weld metal and it ceases to be brittle but remains very tough.    This is what is known as tempering.

A block of beeswax is rubbed on the metal while it is still hot.    If the metal has not cooled enough,  it will burst into flame!

Eventually it cools enough to rub the wax without catching fire.    The wax is rubbed generously as it smokes and carbonizes until it forms a solid black coating.     A fine layer of slag forms during the final heating, much thinner and more uniform than the original coating.    This serves to hold the finish to the iron.

The back of the forge is opened and the haft is placed in up to the tine.    It is warmed only enough to carbonize the wax.

The haft is pulled back through by sections and rubbed with each move.    Once the handle is out the last of the finish is applied.   It's done!    Now I'll hang it on a nail and wait until it cools.

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Stripping and welding

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