If this is the case, Colt, Ruger, S&W, Freedom Arms, et al . . . . all have it wrong. If you don't soften any of the hands in any of these revolvers, they will more than likely shatter because they are hardened. Mr. Jim Martin would be wrong as well. He's probably forgotten more about tuning than most will ever know. I've always hardened hands (as per instruction) and I would recommend that everyone do the same. You won't shoot enough to ever wear out a ratchet but you will change hands (if timing is important to you) often if you're an "active" shooter!
I'll keep doing what I'm doing.
Mike
I'll add a little more : hands that I've hardened ( making the wrong choice thinking they were long enough to dress) and then deciding to get away with one more "stretching" without softening, always break!! So, this steel that won't harden will shatter after you harden it. I know it sounds funny but, softening the hand before stretching will allow you to stretch it, but after you harden it, it will shatter . . . go figure. The great thing is I'm just a dumb tuner and don't need to know what steel any particular part is made of which frees me from "over analyzing" every step that I do. I just know if you get a new hand from VTI (or anyone else) and try to stretch it without softening first, will more than likely break or crack.