Abstract: A liquid quench is disclosed. In one embodiment, a liquid quench apparatus for rapidly cooling a metal strand product includes: a chamber to hold a liquid, configured for placement under a drawn metal stand product, and defined by a length of a predetermined, adjustable value selected to create a desired temperature upon the stand product in a predetermined amount of time; a liquid quenchant disposed within the chamber with which to cool the strand product; a means to raise the liquid quenchant above a height of the strand product to rapidly cool the strand product to the desired temperature in the predetermined amount of time within the predetermined chamber length; and a means to adjust the temperature of the liquid quenchant to the desired temperature upon the stand product. In another embodiment, a system includes an austenitizing furnace, liquid quench, and air fluidized sand bed.