forging damascus

thanks, the guy i ordered it from said it will be shipping out on friday (tomarow) so im proly gonna play with it after i recover from my surgery tomarow (nothing serious just a tooth implant) so im pretty excited to see how it works and what i can do. thanks - stan
 
I made my first damascus out of cable because I don't have a power hammer or press and cable seemed the way to go.I have the best results by making sure the cable is clean by soaking it in tri-sodium phosphate which you can find at any hardware store.I soak it for 24 hours ,let it dry then start the forging process.I found that you have to tighten the cable frequently until it's as tight as you can get it or you will have voids.Be prepared to watch an 1 1/2" cable reduced to a 3/4" billet.I tighten the cable with 2 24" pipe wrenches that I have from my pipefitting days.I place one in a vice and use the other to tighten.I have also made layered Damascus from 1095 and 15n20 but since I don't have the power hammer I keep the folds at 40 to 80 and get very nice results.I do like the snakeskin type pattern of cable and sometimes will take strands from different wire rope and twist them to make my own cable . That idea comes from Goddards "The fifty dollar Knife Shop.good luck on your forging and be patient.
 
another cable like pattern iv'e tried, is to take multiple 1/4'' round stock of varying carbon content, including even nickle welding rods (w/ flux removed) and bundle together and twist like hell. similar pattern but more bold. has a lot of potential and versatility.
as far as tightening try just mounting a pipe vise on a stump or table in your forge shop. works like a charm, w/ the right tongs, you don't even need a pipe wrench. got that idea from my cuz.............birdog forge.


Andrew
 
yeah, ive kinda put damascus on hold while i build my skills at forging standard blades. but as soon as i get my hands on some cable im gonna give it a shot
 
I have been doing this knife stuff for over 6 years and am still a newbie. I am lucky to have had many years of metal working experience to built on though. I have to agree with most of the advice here, but, will say this, don't be afraid to try things. The worst that can happen is you make scrap, but, if you think about what happened and pay attention you will learn things, even making scrap. Some of the worlds great ideas and inventions came from what happened when making scrap. Enjoy yourself, your young and have many years ahead of you to master this. Good Luck Jim
 
Is there anyone close that can give the guy some 15n20 and 1080 and get him started on the right foot.
 
i looked around and the nearest knifemakers are in canyon lake, texas. about an hour away and its Allen Elishewitz he is a stock removal guy and im into forgin, and ive been to timid to call him up. thanks guys, ive been practicing on old files and leafsprings for now. ive been working with my dad (a contractor) so i should be able to get my hands on some known steel in a short time, thanks guys
 
I happen to agree with Atakatch and Deker. if your stubburn and go about it in a quasi-scientific manner you should be able to pull it off. but may I suggest making a few simple wrap around style hawk/axe out of your leafsprings first. They will get your forge welding up to par.
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alot of guys do use mild steel, then forge in a broken piece of file into the bit of the axe. but creating these are awfully fun once you start. Any way thats my .02 worth

{thats not an example of my work, I swiped it off of ebay. But it's a great example of the wrap around style. :D }
 
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