Forging Question (in New players)

I have read the wiki on forging and the list recipes for weapons and armor.

I have been trying to forge one of my weapons. I can't seem to get the progress counter above ~70%. Even if I repeat the entire process, even if I quench the weapon 100 times at the end of the cycle. Why aren't the recipes working?

Just repeat the cycle. No need to over-quench.

You must be missing a part of the cycle...
Besides which forging with a brand new char is extremely ineffective...get to fighting!