Damascus edge

R Dockrell

R Dockrell

Joined
Mar 26, 2000
Messages
658
Being to lazy to search through the multitude of info here on damascus I present this question to the Makers and Smiths here.

Does the patturn of the forge welded steel have anything to do with cutting ability of the blade?
Taking into consideration todays use of two or more high carbon steels such as 15N20, 1084, 1095, 5160, L6, and 52100. Verses the past practice of using a high carbon and a low or no carbon steel or nickle to produce the patturn.

For example. If the forging and HT is done correctly on a 15N20/1084 blade will say a ladder patturn cut better than a twist or pool and eye patturn?

Just food for thought.
 
Robert, I have the Bill Moran Damascus video and Bill says the Twist pattern cuts the most aggressive because the cutting edge is all end grain. He was using high carbon/mild steel in the video. I think with double high carbon damascus such as 1084/15n20 the pattern wouldnt matter because both steels are wear resistant. I use alot of 1084/pure nickel and as the soft nickel wears the edge seems to get more aggressive even though it quits shaving hair it keeps cutting rope. You can cut more rope with an edge sharpened on a medium stone than on a fine stone
 
I also agree that the pattern shouldn't matter if all the steel is from different high carbon pieces.
Though if lowercarbon or no carbon is used the layer count should be higher in my opinion thus making the small serrations in the edge smaller and really aggressive.
Bruce
 
Very interesting question. ALmost a bit disappointing that the answer seems relatively simple.

I'm curious guys about 15N20 steel. I have links to 4 or 5 steel composition charts, none of which include 15N20. Somewhere in the strange part of my mind, I almost think I remember once seeing a knife made solely from that steel, though I wouldn't bet more than a nickel on it. Does anyone know a chart that includes 15N20, so one can see what the composition is?

Thanks,
 
Terry,You have been really busy lately with all the neat info you have been ading to your site.
THANKS.
Bruce
 
Thanks, Terry. Yes, I had that chart and use it the most. Just must be blind, I guess. Sorry for the unnecessary effort. But, I appreciate it.
 
Al Dippold made a couple of filet knives out of marquenched 15N20, and said they cut very, very well.
 
I know I just read somewhere that 15n20 is just 1075 with 2% nickel added to it.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
From what I understand about the process of making damascus, after about 3 or more folds, there is carbon migration and the carbon content is evenly distributed through out the piece. In the use of nickel, it will stop the migration because it will not mix with nickel. The nickel is also non heat treatable so it will remain soft. It will have the effect of a serrated edge when cutting. Great meat and seat belt cutter and poor shaver and whittler.
When making the damascus, I preferr to have my mix average out to between .75% and .90%. You will also lose a small amount each heat so that the number of folds will also play a part in the overall amount of carbon left in the steel.
15N20 is, I think, about the same as L6 with .5% more nickel. A lot of the 15N20 is Swedish bandsaw that is marked 15N20. It is a very good steel to use.
A high carbon mix with one of the two or three having nickel in it for contrast, will cut as well as a single steel that is equally heat treated. It would all depend on what you cut as to which would cut best. A twist would be the best choice as it does stand the steel on edge and will cut better than a similiar pattern using the same steels. My choice is 52100 and L6 ladder pattern :).
 
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