Aldo's special 1/8 15n20, who's using it for damascus?

javand

javand

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Oct 17, 2010
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Hey all, my supply of free 15n20 has gotten slow, so I'm looking to order some from Aldo. Considering the 1/8 stock as it'll give me some flexibility for some patterns I'm developing, but I wanted to see who's been using it for damascus, how's the etch compared to Uddeholm's 15n20 (as I understand Aldo's is a custom smelt of same/similar composition?), and how's the performance?


Not looking for anecdotal information here, just first hand. No offense to anyone intended, but if you made your first billet in somebody else's shop and it "looked good to you", I don't need to hear that. Apologies. Just looking for objective input from guys that make tons of steel, and have been using the 0.130 stuff.


I haven't checked for updated prices from Kelly Cupples, but I know he's only got up to 0.095 stuff (real 15n20 afaik), but according to the old price sheet it seemed Aldo was a bit cheaper even with shipping added in for the sheared stuff.

I can get my shop monkey to cut it up these days, so I'm considering going with the thicker stock instead of the bundles.

Any input?
 
Thanks for the heads up, didn't realize he had .130" 15n20...:)
Now for the anecdotal information...
If is is the same as his thinner stock, I can say it shows very nice contrast, but I've not directly compared it to Uddeholm's. I'm thinking I overheard him say his is 2% nickel content....
 
;)


I've decided just to order the usual sized stuff and pick up a few bars of the 1/8" just to play with. I *don't* think it's the same as the other stuff, I believe it's a custom smelt, but I'm not certain. The advantage of the thicker stuff, is one less weld when applicable, the disadvantage is versatility.

I just had this little fantasy earlier that I might have my cake and eat it too, but then I got real. ;)
 
hmm, I wonder if there is any difference in usaknifemakers' 15n20 as they sell it in .130 thickness as well. I want some for san mai so I'm kinda curious as to the differences too if there are any.
 
Well I have no idea, but a *LOT* of stuff around these parts gets called 15n20, that may be very similar but not the Uddeholm 15n20 that we think of.

I know Ray Kirk sells some stuff as 15n20 that's AISI 1075 with 2.1% nickel (he does clearly indicate this), and how it lines up specifically with Uddeholm 15n20 Strip steel, I have no idea. There are about a million strip steel suppliers when I search, that all seem capable of providing material with similar specs.

I imagine that the thinner 15n20 stock Aldo carries is actual Uddeholm 15n20, since it falls in the usual sizes, but I have no idea for sure, but I do recall him getting a custom order/smelt of the thicker stuff specifically because people were requesting it, and I don't think it's available easily in strip form at that thickness, but again, I'm speculating.

As far as what Tracy has at USAKnifemaker, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it's not exactly the same as Aldo's, since they tend to resell a lot of things from other suppliers.
 
Well, I went and ordered some, I'll put some of both in the same billet and see what happens.
 
Let me know what you find out.. I've got access to some but just haven't had a chance to test it yet. Will prob do the same this week.
 
I could, but I asked here instead. :p

From Aldo's original thread asking about custom sizes, I got the impression this was a "15n20" roll down from larger stock or a custom smelt. I could have called and asked him, but I figured someone here must have already been using it, and I expected an answer of "yeah it etches the same as the other", but didn't get one.

At this point, it's irrelevant to me, as I've realized my consumption level is enough to warrant buying strip directly from the manufacturer, so all I am is curious now.
 
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