Darkest 10XX steel.

[jdm61]

Of the readily available high carbon 10XX steels, which in your experience has the most manganese and as a result, etches the darkest in damascus? I am looking for san mai cladding, so color is the prime consideration, although I don't want dirty steel. I have like 20 bars of the NOS Schrade stuff that Aldo had a long time ago and it etches dark, but it is only 1 inch wide which is limiting and I obviously have a limited supply. I suspect that O2 would be best for a shallower hardening core steel, but I ma looking for something to combine with the post office letter bin full of old Don Hanson square W2 stock.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Mangalloy is high carbon with 13% manganese.

 

[jdm61]

Mangalloy is high carbon with 13% manganese.

 

[Don Hanson III]

1084 etches nearly black.I usually do 1084, 15N20 & W2. Most every billet I do
has these three steels.

But W2 & 15N20 looks good as is also.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

This is my 1095.
It's pretty black.

 

[Salem Straub]

CruForgeV, also quite black. I know it's not 10XX but I do like it!