DOCSLIB.ORG

Damascus Steel Part 3 4 Lanham Scrimshaw 4 WG Nessmuk 4 Unfinished Projects 4 No Meetings for Awhile

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Damascus Steel Part 3 4 Lanham Scrimshaw 4 WG Nessmuk 4 Unfinished Projects 4 No Meetings for Awhile KNEWSLETTTER IN A KNUTSHELL 4 Damascus Steel Part 3 4 Lanham Scrimshaw 4 WG Nessmuk 4 Unfinished Projects 4 No meetings for awhile Our international membership is happily involved with “Anything that goes ‘cut’!” April 2021 Damascus Steel Part 3 Gene Martin So far we’ve talked about the origins and basics of making Damascus, or pattern welded, steel. Since there is a reason for it being called pattern welded steel, this missive will discuss Image 1580 - A low layer billet with reverse twist. Three pieces actually putting patterns in the steel. While the article about will be stacked to form the full billet. making Damascus was very broad and general, now we’re going to get much more specific. As we discussed before, a billet of pattern welded steel starts life as a stack of steel pieces of alternating types of steel. Forge welding that stack into a billet produces basic random pattern Image 1583 - A fold too far. The pattern is so fine it’s hard to see. Damascus. While random pattern can be really attractive, it is seldom exciting. Manipulating that pattern starts down the road towards exciting. Some of the basic patterns are ladder and twist pattern. Let’s discuss how those patterns are created. Ladder pattern is created by creating vertical grooves, hopefully evenly spaced, down the length of the billet. Those grooves can be created with a file, a grinder, or dies in a press or power hammer. More Image 1590 – A four bar composite pattern. Bought this from Tru-Grit from an estate. No idea who made it. My hat is off to on dies later. whoever did it. If those grooves are done by cutting into the material, that changes the layer count between the grooves and billet surface. To take advantage of this, the billet is forged flat. That compresses the layers next to the grooves. The result is a tighter pattern/looser pattern contrast. Using dies changes the process a bit. Dies are made by raised Image 1591 – A stretched pattern and recessed areas. Unless the grooves are really deep, the raised areas are then ground down to remove the raised layers. After that the billet is forged flat. This again produces a compressed layer contrast. Deeply grooved billets can sometimes be forged flat without grinding the raised areas. Twisting a billet to make a twist pattern is fairly simple but with Image 1592 – Pattern from a tree shaped die some quirks that need to be addressed. The billet must first be squared before twisting. Rectangular billets create problems. Once the billet is squared, it’s a good plan to then forge it round. There is a quirk that the raised corners of a square billet create stress risers and form cracks. Forging the billet round reduces those stress points. Image 1607 – Billet with tjree thicker layers of 15N20 Once the billet is forged round, it is heated to welding in a vise and a wrench is used to twist the billet. That wrench temperature and removed from the forge, one end is placed is often a pipe wrench with a handle welded to the top jaw. Continued on page 6 Thank you Roy Humenick for your Lisa Wages deserves a special The Seek-Re-TaryOKCA coordinationFree Classified of our 2021 OKCA Club Ads thank you for maintaining the Report Knife. We were overwhelmed with Facebook page. It has received Free classified ads willorders. run up Itto threewas issues something and then be for dropped. which Available we onlya lotto paid of members. requests Write toyour join ad on andanything you elayne have handy (except bamboo leaves) and email or snail mail to the OKCA, PO Box 2091, Eugene OR 97402. The number and size of ads submitted by a singlewere member not prepared. will be accepted, We or received excepted, dependent orders on availablepost items space forand thecomment mood of the or editors. sale. This Knewslettter is supposed to be in excess of the 100 knives we were Without her we would not be the April Show issue. Obviously that able to purchase. We believed it was able to maintain our page. ain’t gonna be this issue. We also did necessary to supply the orders from This Knewslettter will be mailed not have a 2020 April Show issue. We the individuals who had previously to only current members (2021). can but hope that we will have a 2022 purchased knives in support of We thank you for your support April Show issue. (If the creek don’t our organization, therefore it was of our organization during these very rise.) Some of us are optimistic, which necessary to issue refunds to many. We uncertain and challenging times. I think is a very good attitude. also refunded the membership fee paid Remember to advise us if your address by those who had not been information, phone numbers or email members and were required address change. Also be sure to advise to join to purchase a Club if an item you listed for sale is no Knife. longer available. The Board of Directors issues a thank you to all who have renewed their membership and expressed support of our organization and its goals. We are especially appreciative of the number of individuals who have contributed articles to be printed in our Knewslettter. This month we thank Bruce Lanham, Gene Martin, Merle Spencer and Clay If you want us to list your website on Stevens. our links page, please email. It shall be We are still on hold for done upon request. monthly meetings and the Stay safe and keep a distance from Holiday (December/Mini/ others (especially those we have Winter) Show. Too early designated as partners). It reduces the to know what will be. Our arguments and frustration. Also wards crystal ball is too cloudy. off contagious diseases. The views and opinions implied or expressed herein by authors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the Oregon Knife Collectors Association, its editors, or its officers; and no Theresponsibility views and opinions for such viewsimplied will or be expressed assumed. herein The OKCA, by authors its officers and advertisers and its editors are assumenot necessarily no responsibility those of forthe claimsOregon of Knife advertisers Collectors for the Association, quality of goods its editors, and services or its theofficers; advertiser and no responsibilityprovides. The for act such of mailingviews will ordelivering be assumed. a manuscript The OKCA, or its advertisement officers and shall its constituteeditors assume an express no responsibility warranty on for the claims part of of the advertisers contributor for that the the quality material of goods is original and services and in nothe way advertiser an provides.infringement The act upon of themailing rights or of delivering others. The a actmanuscript of mailing or or advertisement delivering a letter shall or constitute question an to theexpress editor warranty shall constitute on the permissionpart of the tocontributor publish the that letter the or material portion is thereof original unless and thein no Oregon way an infringementKnife Collectors upon Associationthe rights of isothers. informed The otherwiseact of mailing in that or letter.delivering This a Knewslettter letter or question is devoted to the to editor the general shall constitute interest of permission the knife communityto publish the and letter does or not portion include thereof personal unless information the Oregon Knifesuch Collectors as births, deathsAssociation and illness. is informed We also otherwise strive to usein that only letter. material This that Knewslettter is directed is to devoted the world to ofthe cut. general Our charter interest mandates of the knife that community our mailing and list ofdoes the not membership include personal cannot beinformation sold or used such as bybirths, other deaths than the and Oregon illness. Knife We also CollectorsAssociation. strive to use only material that is directed to the world of cut. Our charter mandates that our mailing list of the membership cannot be sold or used by other than the Oregon Knife Collectors Association. OKCA Club Whot-zits & Whos Zits Craig Morgan Joshua Hill Letters to...... Craig Morgan Joshua Hill OKCAOKCA P O PO Box Box 2091 2091 Eugene Eugene OR 97402 OR 97402 PresidentPresident (541)968-5278 (541)345-0152 Master Master at Arms at (503)580-8998Arms (503)580-8961 Packages(541)484-5564 to........ JohnJohn Priest Priest DennisDennis Ellingsen Ellingsen OKCAPackages 3003 Wonly 11 Ave to: PMBOKCA 172 - Eugene3003 W.OR 11th97402 VViceice President President (541)517-2029 Show ShowChairman Chairman (541)484-5564 (541)484-5564 PMB 172 - Eugene OR 97402 Copyright (C) 2021 Oregon Knife Collectors Association. Knewslettter by elayne & dennis ElayneElayne Ellingsen Ellingsen Knewslettter by elayne & dennis NoCopyright part of this(C) Knewslettter2013 Oregon may Knife be Collectors reproduced Association. without Web page --- http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/ No part of this Knewslettter may be reproduced without Sec/TSec/Tres.res. (541)484-5564 (541)484-5564 permission of the OKCA. ClubW ebemail page--- [email protected] http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/ Layoutpermission and printingof the OKCA. by instaprint Layout -and printing 1208by instaprint W. 6th - Eugene,- 1208 W. OR 6th 97402 - Eugene, OR 97402 - - Club email --- [email protected] PhonePhone (541)686-8591 (541)686-8591 March 2013 Page 7 Simply Show the Knife continued from page 1 In 2011 we had our first Great Eastern with a solution OKCA Knews Cutlery (GEC) knife. Roy Humenick for allocation of & Musings was the promoter and organizer who these knives. Not ibdennis made this knife available. To date we easy for us to have had nine patterns of GEC knives please everyone. The 2021 OKCA Show offered to our OKCA members.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pattern Formation in Wootz Damascus Steel Swords and Blades
    Indian Journal ofHistory ofScience, 42.4 (2007) 559-574 PATTERN FORMATION IN WOOTZ DAMASCUS STEEL SWORDS AND BLADES JOHN V ERHOEVEN* (Received 14 February 2007) Museum quality wootz Damascus Steel blades are famous for their beautiful surface patterns that are produced in the blades during the forging process of the wootz ingot. At an International meeting on wootz Damascus steel held in New York' in 1985 it was agreed by the experts attending that the art of making these blades had been lost sometime in nineteenth century or before. Shortly after this time the author began a collaborative study with bladesmith Alfred Pendray to tty to discover how to make ingots that could be forged into blades that would match both the surface patterns and the internal carbide banded microstructure of wootz Damascus steels. After carrying out extensive experiments over a period ofaround 10 years this work succeeded to the point where Pendray is now able to consistently make replicas of museum quality wootz Damascus blades that match both surface and internal structures. It was not until near the end of the study that the key factor in the formation of the surface pattern was discovered. It turned out to be the inclusion of vanadium impurities in the steel at amazingly low levels, as low as 0.004% by weight. This paper reviews the development of the collaborative research effort along with our analysis ofhow the low level of vanadium produces the surface patterns. Key words: Damascus steel, Steel, Wootz Damascus steel. INTRODUCTION Indian wootz steel was generally produced by melting a charge of bloomery iron along with various reducing materials in small closed crucibles.
    [Show full text]
  • The White Book of STEEL
    The white book of STEEL The white book of steel worldsteel represents approximately 170 steel producers (including 17 of the world’s 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production. worldsteel acts as the focal point for the steel industry, providing global leadership on all major strategic issues affecting the industry, particularly focusing on economic, environmental and social sustainability. worldsteel has taken all possible steps to check and confirm the facts contained in this book – however, some elements will inevitably be open to interpretation. worldsteel does not accept any liability for the accuracy of data, information, opinions or for any printing errors. The white book of steel © World Steel Association 2012 ISBN 978-2-930069-67-8 Design by double-id.com Copywriting by Pyramidion.be This publication is printed on MultiDesign paper. MultiDesign is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council as environmentally-responsible paper. contEntS Steel before the 18th century 6 Amazing steel 18th to 19th centuries 12 Revolution! 20th century global expansion, 1900-1970s 20 Steel age End of 20th century, start of 21st 32 Going for growth: Innovation of scale Steel industry today & future developments 44 Sustainable steel Glossary 48 Website 50 Please refer to the glossary section on page 48 to find the definition of the words highlighted in blue throughout the book. Detail of India from Ptolemy’s world map. Iron was first found in meteorites (‘gift of the gods’) then thousands of years later was developed into steel, the discovery of which helped shape the ancient (and modern) world 6 Steel bEforE thE 18th cEntury Amazing steel Ever since our ancestors started to mine and smelt iron, they began producing steel.
    [Show full text]
  • Damascus Steel
    Damascus steel For Damascus Twist barrels, see Skelp. For the album of blades, and research now shows that carbon nanotubes the same name, see Damascus Steel (album). can be derived from plant fibers,[8] suggesting how the Damascus steel was a type of steel used in Middle East- nanotubes were formed in the steel. Some experts expect to discover such nanotubes in more relics as they are an- alyzed more closely.[6] The origin of the term Damascus steel is somewhat un- certain; it may either refer to swords made or sold in Damascus directly, or it may just refer to the aspect of the typical patterns, by comparison with Damask fabrics (which are in turn named after Damascus).[9][10] 1 History Close-up of an 18th-century Iranian forged Damascus steel sword ern swordmaking. These swords are characterized by dis- tinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. Such blades were reputed to be tough, re- sistant to shattering and capable of being honed to a sharp, resilient edge.[1] Damascus steel was originally made from wootz steel, a steel developed in South India before the Common Era. The original method of producing Damascus steel is not known. Because of differences in raw materials and man- ufacturing techniques, modern attempts to duplicate the metal have not been entirely successful. Despite this, several individuals in modern times have claimed that they have rediscovered the methods by which the original Damascus steel was produced.[2][3] The reputation and history of Damascus steel has given rise to many legends, such as the ability to cut through a rifle barrel or to cut a hair falling across the blade,.[4] A research team in Germany published a report in 2006 re- vealing nanowires and carbon nanotubes in a blade forged A bladesmith from Damascus, ca.
    [Show full text]
  • An Explanation of Possible Damascus Steel Manufacturing Based On
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICS An Explanation of Possible Damascus Steel Manufacturing Based on Duration of Transient Nucleate Boiling Process and Prediction of the Future of Controlled Continuous Casting NIKOLAI KOBASKO Intensive Technologies Ltd, Kyiv, Ukraine and IQ Technologies Inc, Akron, USA Abstract - In the paper the new explanation in cementite microstructure were also found in the manufacturing of Damascus steel, based on discovered archeological items from Pol'tse, a settlement at Amur the specific characteristics of transient nucleate boiling river, V-IV century B.C. Raw materials and Damascus processes, is provided. Also, the future of continuous steel crafting instruction are not longer available. Details casting in the paper is discussed. According to of technology, which was used by the capable discovered characteristics, duration of transient nucleate metallurgists from Pol'tse, is not known [8]. The ancient boiling process is directly proportional to squared size of technique reached modern - day Turkmenistan and a steel part and inversely proportional to thermal Uzbekistan around 900 A.D., and then the Middle East diffusivity of material, depends on configuration and circa 1000 A.D. There are numerous publications where initial temperature of component, thermal properties of this matter is widely discussed [9 - 16]. It is underlined liquid. The surface temperature of steel part during that India has been reputed for its iron and steel since transient nucleate boiling process maintains at the level ancient times, the time of Alexander the Great (356 B.C. of boiling point of liquid and cannot be below it. Based - 323 B.C.) [5] . When Alexander the Great got to India on these characteristics, the new hypothesis regarding he ordered to be delivered to him “100 talents of Indian manufacturing of Damascus steel is proposed according steel” [5].
    [Show full text]
  • Formation of Faceted Excess Carbides in Damascus Steels Ledeburite Class
    Journal of Materials Science and Engineering B 8 (1-2) (2018) 36-44 doi: 10.17265/2161-6221/2018.1-2.006 D DAVID PUBLISHING Formation of Faceted Excess Carbides in Damascus Steels Ledeburite Class Dmitry Sukhanov1 and Natalia Plotnikova2 1. ASK-MSC Company (Metallurgy), Moscow 117246, Russia 2. Novosibirsk State Technical University, Novosibirsk 630073, Russia Abstract: In this research was developed stages of formation troostite-carbide structure into pure Damascus steel ledeburite class type BU22А obtained by vacuum melting. In the first stage of the technological process, continuous carbides sheath was formed along the boundaries of austenitic grains, which morphologically resembles the inclusion of ledeburite. In the second stage of the process, there is a seal and faceted large carbide formations of eutectic type. In the third stage of the technological process, troostite matrix is formed with a faceted eutectic carbide non-uniformly distributed in the direction of the deformation with size from 5.0 μm to 20 μm. It found that the stoichiometric composition of faceted eutectic carbides is in the range of 34 < C < 36 (atom %), which corresponds to -carbide type Fe2C with hexagonal close-packed lattice. Considering stages of transformation of metastable ledeburite in the faceted eutectic -carbides type Fe2C, it revealed that the duration of isothermal exposure during heating to the eutectic temperature, is an integral part of the process of formation of new excess carbides type Fe2C with a hexagonal close-packed lattice. It is shown that troostite-carbide structure Damascus steel ledeburite class (BU22А), with volume fraction of excess -carbide more than 20%, is fully consistent with the highest grades of Indian steels type Wootz.
    [Show full text]
  • Jeff Wadsworth: Probed How Damascus Steel Swords Made (As Published in the Oak Ridger’S Historically Speaking Column on May 12, 2014)
    Jeff Wadsworth: Probed how Damascus steel swords made (As published in The Oak Ridger’s Historically Speaking column on May 12, 2014) As Carolyn Krause continues to bring us superb insights into some of the key leaders of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, she has delved into the past to bring forward some astounding facts about Jeff Wadsworth, the metallurgist. He, being intrigued by the past art of sword making, learned the secret of the steel used in a most effective hand to hand combat weapon, the Damascus sword. … Al Trivelpiece pedals his unicycle without losing his balance. Bill Madia drives his motorcycle on Bethel Valley Road. In a demonstration Jeff Wadsworth splits a silk scarf midair using an ancient Damascus steel sword. These are my occasional visions of the past three directors of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In September 1981 Wadsworth’s metallurgical research at Stanford University was beginning to pay off. He and Oleg Sherby, a professor at Stanford and an authority on deformable metals, published a notable paper in the British scientific journal “Progress in Materials Science.” Even better, renowned science writer Walter Sullivan highlighted their research in his article “The Mystery of Damascus Steel Appears Solved” in the Sept. 29, 1981, issue of The New York Times. At one of the metallurgists’ presentations on their high-carbon steel, a sword enthusiast noted that Damascus steel was also rich in carbon. So, Sherby and Wadsworth decided to compare the composition of their own steel with that of ancient Damascus steel used for swords, shields and armor and prized for their wavy, watery “damask” patterns.
    [Show full text]
  • A Basic Ovendew for Those Considering Making Their Own Damascus
    By MattWalker A basic ovendew for those considering making their own Damascus SaysWalker, "This anvil knife is an experimentI made with the help of a couple of friends(Alan Longmireand Mike Adams).I had a bar that was a spare,so we made one of these knivesfor each of us-working together.I give creditto RobertMayo for the idea.I carrythis one daily.lt is not good for using,but cool for a blacksmithto have." knivesillustrated.com 52 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED . APRIL 2009 want to give an overviewof how I makeDamascus steel, along with someopinions and ideas about it. This is what works in my shopfor me. Making Damascusis almosta faith- basedpursuit for me. If you talk with severalpeople that areserious about Damascusyou will seewhy I sayit is somewhatlike religion-we areall trying to get to the sameplace, but often value differentformalities in the practiceof gettingthere. My advicefor anyonewanting to start makingDamascus is to learneverything you canand use what works for you.No- body is born knowing this stuff.At the end of this articleI will credit someof the peopleI havelearned from and mentionresources I value. Materials Matt Walkerin his shop Most steelsand even wrought iron, can be weldedand manipulated to createpat- I usenickel in my barsonly whenmy My personalrecommendation is 1084 terns.If you put wroughtiron, mild steel informedcustomers ask for it. Nickel re- and 15N20.This combinationprovides or nickelin theoriginal billet, you run the ally doesmake a piecepretty and, in my everythingI want for a piecethat I can risk of havinglayers that won't hardenor business,whoever is payingcan choose provideto otherswith confidence.The the lowercarbon layers robbing from the what materialthey want.
    [Show full text]
  • Engineering Metallurgy Engineering
    PITMAN METALLURGY SERIES FRANK T. SISCO, Advisory Editor Engineering Metallurgy Engineering pitman PUBLISHING CORPORATION >* Metallurgy By THE COMMITTEE ON METALLURGY -4 collaborative writing group of metallurgy professors. NEW YORK • TORONTO • LONDON Copyright ©, 1957 BY PITMAN PUBLISHING CORPORATION All rights reserved. No part of this book may l>e reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. 1.2 Associated Companies Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd. London Mcllraurne Johannesburg Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons (Canada), Ltd. Toronto / t &9 / QOZAfcl- , COTA PRINTED in the United States of America Coauthors Theodore Allen, Jr., M.S.M.E., Associate Professor of Mechanical En- gineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas; Engineer Associated with Anderson, Greenwood and Co., Bellaire, Texas Lee L. Amidon, M.S.M.E., Professor and Head, Department of Mechani- cal Engineering, South Dakota State College, Brookings, South Dakota John K. Anthony. M.S.. Associate Professor of Physical Metallurgy, Uni- versity of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona Robert E. Bannon, S.M., Professor of Metallurgy, Newark College of Engineering, Newark, New Jersey Francis William Brown, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, New York Frederick Leo Coonan, D.Sc, Professor and Chairman, Department of Metallurgy and Chemistry, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California Howard P. Davis, M.S., Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming Harold Vincent Fairbanks, M.S., Professor of Metallurgical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia Mars G. Fontana, Ph.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Metal- lurgical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Arthur R. Foster, M.Eng., Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineer- ing, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts Arthur C.
    [Show full text]
  • “Damascus” Steel
    53_57_Feuerbach.qxd 1/11/08 3:01 PM Page 53 Rethinking “Damascus” Steel Dr. Ann Feuerbach INTRODUCTION Historical accounts testify that for thousands of years, in Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures, crucible steel was the most sought-after type of steel because it was used to produce so-called “Damascus” steel objects. Damascus steel objects, particularly swords, were famous for their attrac- tive surface pattern which was said to resemble flowing water. The Damascus pattern was considered a trademark advertising quality, cost, and status, as well as being an important religious symbol with special magical qualities. The crucible Damascus steel sword was not merely a military accoutrement, nor just a decorative fashion accessory. It had the distinctive position of being a secular and sacred object, in addition to being an emblematic one. Having such an important role in society, been written on this topic, we would think that we would there is a great deal of historical literature written on the man- know more about it than we actually do. It is commonly ufacture and trade of crucible steel swords and other objects. repeated in the literature that crucible Damascus steel was only Although often associated with Islam, textual and archaeologi- produced in India and Sri Lanka, from so-called wootz ingots, cal evidence indicates that it was produced and used in Central and its appearance in locations outside of this area was due to Asia and the Middle East before the advent of Islam. The fol- trade. Secondly, it is commonly believed that the term lowing paper will discuss how cultural aspects may have influ- “Damascus” steel refers to the place of manufacture and that enced the production, trade and use of crucible Damascus the crusaders coined the term.
    [Show full text]
  • Blade Patterns Intrinsic to Steel Edged Weapons by Lee A
    Blade Patterns Intrinsic to Steel Edged Weapons by Lee A. Jones In examining objects made from modern the natural background grain and layering to industrially produced steel little or no texture produce a desired pattern. Important to is readily apparent to the naked eye, even if consider within this parameter for layered the objects have been weathered or corroded. structures will be the planes of subsequent Earlier iron and steel artifacts will frequently stock removal (grinding) and how the angle show a pronounced texture. Such textures may of intersection of the created surface interacts arise from heterogeneous composition and or with the existing grain and layer structure to impurities such as slag stringers that are form a visible surface pattern. Fourth are the banished from or tightly regulated in the further effects obtainable in a blade made up production of modern steels. Additionally, in of several components welded together, the case of antique edged weapons, smiths whether it be merely a piled structure necessary frequently manipulated naturally occurring to achieve the desired blade mass and perhaps textures and or ingeniously joined together never intended to be noticed by the customer dissimilar materials to achieve desired or a deliberate decoration. The term ‘pattern- performance and or aesthetic appearance. welded’ or ‘twist core Damascus’ is applied Whether deliberate or intentional, such to a technique exemplified in Europe by patterns often yield clues to how such items Migration Period and Viking Age swords, but were made. This article will show a sampling also seen in work from many cultures in Asia. of such patterns as are found in swords and An extreme of this final parameter in the other edged weapons from a diversity of welding together of many components will be cultures and times.
    [Show full text]
  • Damascus Notes
    Notes on Pattern Welded Steel By Matt Walker I want to give here an over view of how I make Damascus steel along with some opinions and ideas. The first thing I want to say is this is what works in my shop for me. Making Damascus is almost a faith based pursuit and some people may disagree with my methods. If you talk with several people that are serious about this stuff you will see why I say it is somewhat like re- ligion. We are all trying to get to the same place but often value different formalities in the practice of getting there. So learn everything you can and use what works for you. No one is born knowing this stuff. I will try to give credit at the end to some that I have learned from and mention resources I value. First let’s talk about materials. Most steels and even wrought iron can be welded and manipulated to create patterns. If you put wrought, mild steel or nickel in the original billet you run the risk of having layers that won’t harden or the lower carbon layers robbing from the higher carbon layers possibly resulting in a blade that won’t respond properly to heat treatment. In some cases, like a tomahawk, where a tool steel bit will be used softer layers can be acceptable because just the working edge needs to be hardened. I use nickel in my bars only when my in- formed customers ask for it. Nickel really does make a piece pretty and after all whoever is paying gets to choose what they want in my business.
    [Show full text]
  • In This Issue Damascus Swords
    In This Issue Application Article: Damascus Swords - An Ancient Advanced Material Technical Tip: Extensometer Slippage You Asked – We Answered: Q: What is the Best Way to Grip Thin-walled Steel Tubes for Tension Testing? Damascus Swords - An Ancient Advanced Material In popular culture, the Samurai sword reigns supreme as both a fearsome weapon and a work of art, a masterpiece combining hardness and flexibility in steel. However, another ancient weapon, the Damascus sword, has also been revered for centuries. Its beauty is second to none. Damascus blades have a characteristic wavy banding pattern on the blade surface known as damask. It also combines hardness and flexibility. Only recently, researchers have found some of the secrets of these competing properties. The Damascene bladesmiths were making carbon nanotubes more than 400 years ago. Damascus blades, first encountered by Europeans in the Middle Ages in the Middle East and Asia, had features not found in European steels: extraordinary mechanical properties, an exceptionally sharp cutting edges, and a damask pattern. Damascus blades were forged from Wootz steel from India. India has been reputed for its iron and steel since ancient times. Literary accounts indicate that steel from southern India was rated as some of the finest in the world and was traded throughout Europe, China, and the Middle East. Steel is made by alloying iron with carbon. High carbon contents of 1 - 2% make the material hard, but also make it brittle. This property is useless for sword making since the blade would shatter upon impact with a shield or another sword. However, Wootz steel, with a carbon content of about 1.5%, showed a seemingly impossible combination of hardness and malleability.
    [Show full text]