Forge welding steel selection

rodriguez7

rodriguez7

Gila wilderness knife works
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
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so I just recently finished my first forge weld, successfully. I used some cheap wrought iron from the hardware store, with a 1084 core. I’m pleased with what I got. I’m getting ready to start my next project. I’m wanting to build a really tough outdoor hunting, and camp blade. With about a 5-6 inch cutting edge. What steel combinations would be best for a beginner. I’m doing a laminated, 3 layer knife. I would like something with better edge retention than 1084, but still plenty tough. I was thinking 8670, sandwiched between some wrought iron. How does this steel weld?
 
First thing is that you used cheap mild steel ... not wrought iron. They are very different things. Hardware stores don't sell wrought iron.
Wrought iron is fibrous and makes great san-mai sides, but is somewhat hard to get, expensive, and much harder to weld.

1095, 52100, or W2, will make a good core. The same low carbon (mild) steel you used before will work for the sides. If you want to step it up a notch, use some albama damascus for the side cladding.
 
Thanks Stacey! I appreciate you responding. There’s a lot I need to learn about this. Tonight i welded up a billet of 15n20 between this cheap steel, just to try it. I’m thinking of ordering some w2 to try with this. Have you ever tried welding 8670?
 
Recently some of us where discussing san mai using 15N20 as the cladding.
 
With what core? That would make for a nice tough knife! Maybe w2 with 15n20 .
 
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