[en] The effect has been investigated of post-deformation holding prior to hardening upon the strengthening of 36G2S, 34KhN3MPh, 35Kh5VMPhS, 45Kh6M2PhS, 5KhNM, 5KhV2S, 12Kh18N10T steels in high-temperature mechanical working. It is established that an increase in post-deformation holding substantially lowers the strengthening due to high-temperature mechanical working for 36G2S steel. In steels doped with carbide-forming elements, the process of weakening slows down appreciably. A slight cooling of steels possessing a high stability against breakdown of austenite in the pearlite field, slows down recrystallization, and the strengthening effect remains high. With the investigation as a basis, kinetic curves have been plotted for the onset of the isothermic breakdown of deformed and non-deformed austenite from which it follows that a hot plastic deformation in high-temperature mechanical working lowers pearlite and enhances bainite hardenability of steel