[TheForge] Splitting steel

[Bob Rackers]

Today I was forging some 3/4" round hot-rolled to square.
Despite working at a high forging temperature and not working it below a red
heat, I noticed some cracks developing across the material. When it became
evident that the cracks were going to result in the piece eventually breaking,
I cut that short section off and continued on the next section.
I then noticed two longitudinal cracks on one face.
I've never had a problem like this before, but of course I've never had a
deadline like this and working my last piece of 3/4" round either.
Though I'm sure Murphy has everything to do with this, I'm curious to know if
anyone else has ever had this problem.
Is there any way around this problem, or is the only solution to pick up
another piece and start over?

Bob