440c / d2 damascus

[Gee Ham]

So I'm new to this forum, and have a year of knifemaking under my belt. Just starting to feel comfortable enough to consider folding some steel, and a friend of mine acquired some bars of 440c stainless, and some d2. Are these two compatible for the purpose of making damascus? I can't find a video on youtube for these two types, any input would be apprieciated.

 

[BellaBlades]

I have no idea but I would certainly like some.

 

[jc57]

Try here: https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/shop-talk-bladesmith-questions-and-answers.741/

It's where the bladesmiths hang out.

 

[Gee Ham]

Ok thanks, and if I have success, I'll let you know.

 

[danbot]

As I understand it, both of those steels are notoriously difficult, if not impossible to forge.

 

[Gee Ham]

we weren't having much trouble moving the billet with a power hammer, it just would not weld. I kind of feel like they are both too hard, and too similar, but I am not experienced enough to say for sure.

 

[danbot]

we weren't having much trouble moving the billet with a power hammer, it just would not weld. I kind of feel like they are both too hard, and too similar, but I am not experienced enough to say for sure.

I've read about D2 tending to crumble when trying to forge it and 440C needs to stay out of the Oxygen, otherwise it burns out too much Carbon. But, maybe some successful techniques have been developed since then...?

 

[LX_Emergency]

With stainless(most as far as I know) you can't have the actual welding surfaces in contact with oxygen.

Ironically the oxidised layer that stainless steels form at high heat (and D2 would probably as well) prevent the steel from making a good weld.

And that is apart from the better temperature control and shorter hammer heat that Stainless steels have.

If you want to weld (especially for the first times) get some high carbon tool steels like O1, 1095, L6, 1070, 1080, 1085 etc. Add some high carbon high nickel steels for the contrast like 15N20 or something similar and you'll have a much better time at it.

Edit: Forgot a word

 

[metalbist]

+ for 1095 steel. Carpenter produces many nice custom alloys close to 1095 with better welding, hardening and cutting parameters (i.e. law 100x steel - see datasheet). I guess local metal suppliers have tons of analogues.

 

[ATJ999]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong. But I would say this would cause two dark contrast steels when etched. One of those and 154CM would work. With stainless pattern welded steel(Damascus) you want one steel with low amounts of molybdenum, and the other high. The 4% in 154CM would cause this steel to be the bright contrast. If I am not mistaken. Could be wrong.