Damascus and Hardness question

T

Temper

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
3,011
Guys I have a question regarding Damascus and how its hardness can be measured or estimated.

How is the heat treatment done for say 1096 & L6? Is it done accurately for one of the steels to obtain a desired hardness and then the other steels hardness is calculated based on that and then an average worked out?
:confused:
 
The heat treatment is selected by taking the best compromise between the two, the heat treatments will usually overlap. Some steels, like 1075 and 15n20 (essentially 1075 with some nickel), are so similar, that the heat treatment doesn't have to be any different. When nickel is in the mix, it is just hardened for the steel, because nickel doesn't harden. As to deciding the hardness, it's usually not listed, sometimes the maker will give the hardness that the two steels should be at. The reason is, you get funny readings with a rockwell tester on damascus, especially stuff that has nickel in it, you will get different hardness readings on different parts of the blade, it's better just to give the hardness that the hardenable steel should be at, given the same heat treatment with a solid piece of the steel. It's a little different when dealing with damascus with two hardenable steels in it, but you're still getting a composite reading between the two steels.
 
If you use a damascus of O1/L6 you won't have to compromise since they have very similar heat treating characteristics. Looks nice too !
 
I must entirely second what you said mete. I have done HRC testing on my fair share of damascus mixes and if the two are matched in heat treat and resulting hardness there will be no serious variations in readings (if everything is welded up tight ;) ) Mixes with serious differences, large weld zones, or heavy inclusions will be virtually impossible to get an accurate reading from. I don't think that it is any secret that I have a fondness for O1/L6 and I get the most consistent readings from it than any other steel I work with, including mono-steel blades. As quenched is always 64.5 to 65 HRC and I am fond of taking as many as 30 readings on a test sample just to look for deviation.
 
It's kind of funny that this topic came up, because I was recently figuring out the best heat treatment for D2/154-CM and 3V/154-CM damascus. I think I came up with a pretty good heat treatment for them.
 
Just another then while we I got some good answers. In what circumstances is Damascus preferable from a performance point? And, is Damascus usually hardened to the 60+ range?

Thanks
 
I don't think damascus will out perform either of the steels that were used in it's construction, or the other way around if the damascus was made well.

You would definitely want to temper the damascus back below your as quenched hardness. I temper mine back to 58 or 59 HRC. I use 1095 and 15N20 and as quenched it is around 62 to 63 HRC.

Hope taht helps.
 
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