A method of forming a part, comprising the steps of: providing a blank formed of a steel material; heating the blank to a predetermined temperature; providing an apparatus including a pair of dies (26, 32), wherein at least one of said dies (26, 32) includes a stamping surface (28, 34) and a plurality of cooling channels spaced from the stamping surface (28, 34), wherein at least one of the dies (26, 32) includes at least one modification to limit the formation of martensite in the blank during the quenching step, wherein the at least one modification includes several of the cooling channels being spaced a greater distance from the stamping surface (28, 34) than the other cooling channels; identifying at least one select area of the blank subsequently subjected to the at least one of cutting and deforming step, wherein the at least one of cutting and deforming step includes at least one of piercing and flanging the at least one select area, wherein select areas are located in areas spaced from one another along the length of the blank for piercing; aligning the at least one select area of the blank with the at least one modification; forming the heated blank between the dies (26, 32) to a predetermined geometry; the forming step including quenching the blank between the dies (26, 32) to form martensite in the blank; the quenching step including limiting the amount of martensite formed in at least one select area of the blank, wherein in other areas of the blank surrounding the select areas, the martensite still forms; and at least one of cutting and deforming the at least one select area of the blank. providing a blank formed of a steel material; heating the blank to a predetermined temperature; providing an apparatus including a pair of dies (26, 32), wherein at least one of said dies (26, 32) includes a stamping surface (28, 34) and a plurality of cooling channels spaced from the stamping surface (28, 34), wherein at least one of the dies (26, 32) includes at least one modification to limit the formation of martensite in the blank during the quenching step, wherein the at least one modification includes several of the cooling channels being spaced a greater distance from the stamping surface (28, 34) than the other cooling channels; identifying at least one select area of the blank subsequently subjected to the at least one of cutting and deforming step, wherein the at least one of cutting and deforming step includes at least one of piercing and flanging the at least one select area, wherein select areas are located in areas spaced from one another along the length of the blank for piercing; aligning the at least one select area of the blank with the at least one modification; forming the heated blank between the dies (26, 32) to a predetermined geometry; the forming step including quenching the blank between the dies (26, 32) to form martensite in the blank; the quenching step including limiting the amount of martensite formed in at least one select area of the blank, wherein in other areas of the blank surrounding the select areas, the martensite still forms; and at least one of cutting and deforming the at least one select area of the blank.