Damascus and Amboynia

Actually, L6 contains a decent amount of nickel. That's why it is used in damascus mixes. In your damascus mix, it is the nickel in the L6 that gives the shiny layers. L6 and 15N20 are near identical. Both are nickel saw steels. Gorgeous knife, by the way. :)
 
I believe the reason that you only see 15N20 in damascus mixes is because it only comes in very thin shim stock thicknesses. L6 comes in lots of thicknesses. In fact, usually you have to forge the L6 down from .5" stock. I bought a little fixed blade from Al Dippold last weekend that he ground out of 15N20, but it is a very small and thin neck knife, so the thin blade stock is an advantage for that purpose.
 
B

Brett Bennett

Joined
Dec 14, 1999
Messages
672
This is something a little different for me. The flat ground damascus blade is W2 and L6 hardened to 58 RC. The guard is 416 SS and the handle is Amboynia burl. The spine is fully fileworked.

picture.JPG
 
Thanks for the kind words, guys.
Keith, L6 is very similar to 15N20, but without the nickel. I hand rub the steel to 1500 grit before and after etching for a nice finish. The blade measures 4 3/8" to the guard and is 9" overall. Sorry, no sheath with this one.

Brett
 
Danbo,

Thanks for the correction. That'll teach me for not verifying my information. :)
Thanks again, guys.

Brett
 
I have to agree. That is one of the nicest knives I have seen in awhile. It is a style that I really like and that damascus looks great. I have not seen L6 used in damascus very often, or maybe I just haven't noticed it as one of the listed steels. I also like the fact that it is not very heavily etched. I think damascus looks great when it is just polished and not etched at all or very lightly etched.

Please give some specs on this knife such as blade length, etc.
 
That is something I never knew. If 15N20 is almost identical to L6 why do you see so many knives that use L6 for the blade and you only seem to see 15N20 in damascus? I love this, I am learning something new about knives. What a great place.
 
awcovert1, I am a little lost. Tell me again why I don't know what I am talking about? I have seen 15n20 listed as part of damascus far more often than L6. Your statement seems to imply that L6 is used more in both damascus and as a regular blade material. Is this correct? I am having a very difficult time understanding your post.
 
Gorgeous piece Kaos.., simple and elegant.., thanks for posting that....


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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