Damascus questions

T

Trevor51

Joined
Jun 24, 2015
Messages
93
Hi, I want to try making Damascus steel. My under standing is I would have to use a high carbon steel and a steel with lots of nickel in it. I can't buy metal so I was wondering what steels that are common to come across have nickel in them. Also I understand that I can a high carbon steel with a low carbon steel but the pattern won't be as noticeable is this correct?. Another question I have is do both steels have to have the same way to harden them? Oil and water quenched steel can be mixed? Or does only one steel have to be able to be hardened
 
Save yourself a lot of headaches and buy some 1080/1084 and 15n20. Making Damascus out of unknown junk is a crap shoot. Do you have a press or Powerhammer? What kinda forge? More info helps everyone
 
I got a hammer and a brake drum forge and bassicly 0 money to buy steel. I'm defiantly willing to put in the hard work to do it. I have a friend who will be swinging a sledge hammer has I hold the metal with tongs. I'm planing on using a high quality 14" older file for the high carbon steel.
 
Do you know what the file is? I think getting the above will work but not what you may have in mind. Hold off until you get some money or try contacting Rob. Watson in Kelowna. He might sell you a few small pieces to go with.
Frank
 
Ok. Thanks for your advice guys. I'm going to hold off a little untill I can get some proper steel. Also I'm in no rush as I can't even run my forge during summer because of the fire ban😁😁
 
That's probally why I'm Asking questions. I'm 14 years old I'm just trying to learn. I'm also very small so I thought I would have a friend help swinging the heavy hammers.
 
Lieblad said:
Unless you are disabled or trying to forgeweld a giant piece, I suggest you hold tongs in one hand, strike with the other. Let your buddy watch.
I dunno what you consider a sledgehammer, but you will do best no more than 2lb.

Seriously, sounds like you are jumping in the deep end without a clue. Learn to swim first.
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That's probally why I'm on these forums asking questions. Doesn't every one start somewhere? not knowing what there doing. I'm 14 years old I don't have the education on this like you guys. That's why some of my questions are very stupid and probally a obvious answer for you guys. A sledge hammer to me is around 5 or more pound. But thinking of it again I'll just do it by myself with a 2lb hammer.
 
Hey there Trevor, check out the stickies on the top of this page, read up about knife making and use the custom search engine to chase down answers to your questions. Damascus is a huge undertaking, and most people (even those with lots of experience forging) fail on their first several attempts. I just started on the forging game, and its a blast, but I'm not going to waste my time, effort and money on Damascus until I get a lot more experience with forging.
There's a lot of info on this forum and a lot of info out there on the internet in general.
youtube has a bunch of guys making Damascus out of various stuff with differing levels of success. Watch and read every thing you can, then go for it!
 
Trevor, it is awesome to see young people getting into this kinda stuff. You have a ways to go before you should try Damascus, but like you say, we all start somewhere. The only real thing you are missing is knowledge. A striker (guy with a sledge) and a you with a 2 pounder will work fine for the first couple, but there is a lot more to it then that. Find someone near you and ask to learn from them. Most will go out of there way to help you. Lots of good info here, but it's hard to match the knowledge you will get from watching some one who knows how it's done. Keep the passion and focus it on learning, you will go far.
 
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