Damascus Problem!!!

B

B.V.

Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
194
I have this small problem. I happened across a couple of pieces of beautiful Damascus. The pieces are apprx. 1" X 1/4" X 10" of 1075 and 15n20. Believe me having the steel is not the problem. The problem is I lack the creativity to come up with the perfect design for such awesome pieces of steel. I am still quite new to the knife making world and don't want to begin only to wish I could start over. I am paticularly bad at handle designs it seems but all sugestions are welcome. (Except for sending the steel to someone else:)) Any ideas ?????
 
Do you have a forge? It would allow you to forge them and get two knives out of them, since you could do a hidden tang. For example, you could get two nice bird and trout style knives, or two Every Day Carry designs out of the steel. You could even get one of each out of it.

If you can't forge it, then you're limited to probably just one knife, such as a bird and trout, using the little bit that is left over for bolsters.
 
Play with cheaper steel first,untill you are happy or confident you can make the knife you like .

Richard
 
I do have access to a forge, however the steel has a ladder pattern to it. Won't forging it ruin that? Besides, I am almost sure that it would not survive my forging skills anyway! I have thought of waiting also and continuing to work with the O1 that I have been using. (Isn't knife making cool. I feel like a kid again, two choices and it seems that is too many!) As far as possible designs if I decide to go forward, I have thought of a simple Tanto style knife with a traditional wrapped handle and a turks head guard for one of them. Simple enough that I feel good about doing it and it doesn't waste as much of that beautiful steel.
 
I would hang onto it. I like to wait until materials tell me what they want to be. If I have a design that is in the works and something jumps out it gets used.
 
Tinbasher said:
Play with cheaper steel first, untill you are happy or confident you can make the knife you like .
Richard
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I agree 100% get some 5160 or something similar and make several knives. When you have finally made one you really like and are happy with you will be ready for the damascus. I did it backwards and started with damascus and I really really wish I would have waited. The first knives came out ok , but, are nothing special, only interesting because of the damascus not the workmanship. I have since spend a lot of time on other steels and my skill level has gone way up. Now I make about 1 damascus knife in 5.
 
I too think you should hang onto the damascus until your skills come up. The size of them will dictate the knife style unless you forge them. Yes forging them will change the pattern. They sound like dagger/letter opener size to me. Too thick for a hunting knife.
Buy some good stainless like CPM 154 and practise on that. You can have it heat treated for and they will make good knives. If they also look good its up to you. Enjoy the craft. Its great.
 
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Thanks for all the very good advice. I have read several of your posts and followed some of your threads. I appreciate your taking the time to respond to my thread. I should provide more information on this one.......I wouldn't go out and purchase this type of steel to make a knife with as I also think my skills are still not ready for that. The Damascus I have was given to me as "scraps" (but to me it was gold!!! It is beautiful.) from a friend who makes the stuff. Who knows, I may have access to more - but only if I do something with it. I wanted to make one for him as a gift for giving it to me in the first place (he likes knives but doesn't make them) . That is the reason I would like to make a move on it sooner than later. Thanks again guys!!!
 
Bring it over bud , you can jump on the Bader and just go for it .

You are welcome to see if any of the patterns I have will fit on that piece of steel , if not , I am sure we can scribe something out.

Good yappin with ya today , don't be a stranger , you are always welcome to come over to the shop.
 
John T Wylie Jr said:
Bring it over bud , you can jump on the Bader and just go for it .

You are welcome to see if any of the patterns I have will fit on that piece of steel , if not , I am sure we can scribe something out.

Good yappin with ya today , don't be a stranger , you are always welcome to come over to the shop.
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Well there ya go. It doesn't get much better than that!!!
 
Your right, and for those that don't already know him, they don't come any better than John either. Thanks John.....your the man!
 
Us Vegas guys gotta stick together , there ain't many guys making knives in the valley.

Maybe someday we can get Don to drive in from Pahrump , Art Washburn to drive down from Pioche and get a few local guys to have a grind in :)

It would be nice to have something when the SHOT show is back in Vegas in 2010. Persuaded Neil Blackwood to drop by the shop during SHOT one year , maybe next time I can persuade some of the other CK&G makers to drop by as well.
 
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