The reason I didn't put anything in my videos on pressing in patterns is because of all the waste. Generally with a pressed in pattern you can expect to loose 1/2 to 2/3 of the billet to grinding. On the up side, if you press the pattern in at least 1/3 from each side, the pattern will go all the way through and will not get ground out. Its up to each individual to choose the route they want to take, but I no longer press patterns in...simply because I cannot afford to waste all that material.
Patterning basic damascus generally falls into one of two categories:
1. Stock removal patterns: pool and eye, ladder, quilt, etc., where you are removing material to create the pattern. This type is best forged closely to finished shape/size, and minimum grinding done. This type of manipulation can be "ground out" if you grind too much after forging.
2. Mechanical patterns: twists, folds, jellyroll, etc., where you physically manipulate the entire billet to create a pattern. This requires more forethought and it helps if you can do what I call "think in the fourth dimension"...meaning being able to imagine what is going on in the interior of the billet when you manipulate it in a specific manner. These type of pattern creations cannot be ground out, because the pattern goes all the way through the billet. There will be subtle differences as you grind deeper, but the pattern will not be erased by too much grinding. I know some of those patterns require you to accordion cut the billet, so I guess that kinda counts as mosaic.
Both of these differ from Mosaics in that "thinking in the fourth dimension" takes on a whole new aspect when you dealing with multiples of of the same or varying billets in making mosaics.
Its a logical progression for an individual to start with stock removal patterns, then go into mechanical patterns, then maybe composites... and when you've mastered those, a whole new adventure awaits with Mosaics.
Its what keeps it so interesting and challenging....and of course just down right fun.
