420/Damascus San Mai

Karl B. Andersen

Karl B. Andersen

Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Messages
5,665
Don't ever ask me to get something done in a hurry - OK?
It was either 4 years ago or 5 - I'm just not sure.
Brian Thie and I were watching Bill Wiggins and Daniel Warren do a San Mai demo at the Mid-America ABS hammer-in.
I looked at Brian and he looked at me and we simultaneously said, "Wonder what that would look like with Damascus?" :rolleyes:
So - all this time later, I finally get around to doing one.
It's a really over-cast and cloudy day here, today, but normally a bit of sun would showcase the really nice chatoyance this Damascus has.
I am going to hot-blue it, like I do with all my Damascus, and it will show up even better then.
But, I just got this etched and thought I'd toss it out here for folks to see.







 
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Very cool. Have you ever considered making a blade the other way, damascus skin (or damasteel) over a hard stainless core, say 52100?

Just asking.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
Not really. I like to stay at least under the traditional definition of San Mai, in that only the core is hardenable.
The San Mai jacket results in either corrosion resistance or differential hardening.
(I see guys coming up with all sorts of three layer "forge welds" and then calling them "San Mai". :rolleyes:)
I will be doing some wrought iron over Damascus and tool steel, however.
Only so many hours in the day.


tinkerer said:
Very cool. Have you ever considered making a blade the other way, damascus skin (or damasteel) over a hard stainless core, say 52100?

Just asking.

Larry
Tinkerer
Click to expand...
 
Hey Karl, Nice knife.
Also damascus over a hardenable core is is a traditioanal form as long as the "damascus" is not hardenable. It is called suminagashi or marbled. I have used 416 and pure nickle for the jacket for instance and 52100 for the core.


Originally posted by Karl B. Andersen


Not really. I like to stay at least under the traditional definition of San Mai, in that only the core is hardenable.
The San Mai jacket results in either corrosion resistance or differential hardening.
(I see guys coming up with all sorts of three layer "forge welds" and then calling them "San Mai". )
I will be doing some wrought iron over Damascus and tool steel, however.
Only so many hours in the day
Click to expand...


originally Posted by tinkerer

Very cool. Have you ever considered making a blade the other way, damascus skin (or damasteel) over a hard stainless core, say 52100?

Just asking.

Larry
Tinkerer
Click to expand...
 
Gotcha. And only serves to further illustrate my point - the "jacket" on "San Mai" should not be a hardenable layer.
Thanks for that clarification, Bill.
Yet, another, option for San Mai. :thumbup:

Bill Burke said:
Hey Karl, Nice knife.
Also damascus over a hardenable core is is a traditioanal form as long as the "damascus" is not hardenable. It is called suminagashi or marbled. I have used 416 and pure nickle for the jacket for instance and 52100 for the core.
Click to expand...
 
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