[TheForge] Normalize vs Annealing prior to hardening

[Paul]

Here's one for the group. I had, for some time, slowly cooled materials 
in vermiculite prior to hardening. The procedure usually went along the 
way of:

1- Forge as close to final dimensions as my skill allows
2- Bring up to critical (good bright red/orange)
3- Place in an insulating medium (usually vermiculite) - I'll call this 
annealing.
4- When cool, do semi-final shaping/grinding/filing
5- Harden (heat to critical, quench in appropriate medium)
6- Temper
7- Perform any finish grinding/polish etc.


The question is, should I normalize (heat and cool in still air) before 
hardening (step 5) ? What is the benefit? and why is it different from 
going directly from an annealed state to hardening?

The steels that I generally use are W-1, O-1, 1045, and re-purposed 
mystery metals (coil springs, bolts, etc)

thanks
**Paul