Canister Damascus

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

Joined
Feb 24, 2000
Messages
1,862
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These pictures show the results of four canister Damascus billets I have made. The first three pictures came from 2" canister 1/8" thick.
The first picture had chain saw chain mixed with 1084 powder. The chain saw gave good contrast.
The second picture had 2" canister with motorcycle chain and 1095 powder. The motorcycle chain really got stretched.
The third picture had a 2" canister with ball bearings and 1095 powder. . For the ball bearing canister I put a 1/4" piece of O-1 steel for the cutting edge. Parts of the O-1 can be seen in the pictures. The ball bearing canister didn't have much contrast.
The last two pictures are of 1" canister 1/16" thick with two rows of motorcycle chain and 1095 powder. I didn't need to forge the 1" canister out like I did the 2" canister and the motorcycle chain really shows up.
I have seen bladesmiths on Forged in the Fire make canister Damascus and struggle to get the can off. I didn't worry about the can. I felt by the time the canister was forged out the canister would be so thin it would get ground off. I think this is what happened. I also did not put anything like paper, w-d-40, etc. in the can. I used 1/4" steel for the ends of the canister and it did not bulge out during the forging.
 
Thanks for this post Tom. I've been planning some canister Damascus, just trying to figure out details. I've got the 1084 powder, very fine, almost like talc. I'd not though of using 1/4 for end plates, but that would make a good place to weld the handle on canister.
 
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try turning the chain into a rolled up shape /rectangle or other before putting it into the can. 2 rolled up chains?motorcycle/timing chains etc with powder to fill up the voids looks pretty cool once forged down,maybe think about twisting it after getting the welding done.. it has been a few years since i forged but it can be very rewarding..just try different things like a twist or something to keep the pattern from becoming boring after all the work is done.. kudos/props....
 
Those are super cool! You might try using some 4600kc or 4800kc powdered steel if you can get some, it's got 2-4% nickel and makes for a much higher contrast with the darker etching steel you get in motorcycle chain and ball bearings, so the pattern will pop more.
 
Very nice.

The ball bearing looks so cool
 
Thanks for the comments. The last two pictures are motorcycle chain in a 1" canister. I have found that a 2" canister that is forged down to 1/4" or 3/16" thick really stretches the ball bearings, chain, etc.
Anyone know where I can get some 4600 kc powder?
I can get some nickel powder from Jantz.
Again, I don't know why anyone would want to try to remove the can or drill a small hole or put a piece of paper in the canister. From my limited experience, that's not necessary.
 
Tom, I agree from the little I know about canister, why try to remove the can. I've watched those guys on FiF spend an hour or more trying to get the can off. By the time the billet is forged and drawn out I suspect lots will be lost to scale not leaving all that much to grind off.
 
Kelly Cupples does still stock 4600kc and 4800kc powders. I just emailed him and got the current stock list and both are still on it.

-Mike
 
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