Hamon Clays

Greenberg Woods

Greenberg Woods

Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
2,695
Hey again guys. I saw Ryan's great hamon process (link) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/997744-My-Hamon-Process . I plan on using some W2 I have for it but I was wondering what other people use for clay. Ryan lists Rutlands cement or Satanite, But I was wondering about possible alternatives. I know I will probably have to go get some rutlands cement later, but for now I have Plistex and Portland cement and was wondering if using one "or both? plistex thickened with portland?" or of anything else you think might work. I know, I know, do it the right way, but right now Im looking for possibilities. Thanks a lot for your time guys.
 
Many thing will probably work. I suppose Santanite is the go to for some. I like the Rutlands Black. I've tried another high temp furnace cement but I didn't like the consistency. The Rutlands thins nicely and is more controllable when applying to the blade for me. I have not tried the other products you mentioned yet.
 
I have used APG #36 with good results on both W2 and W1. A tip from personal experience, in case you end up using the #36 coating; don't try to thin it with water, just use the oily mix already in the container, I tried thinning with water once and it kept cracking badly enough to just fall right off the blade. Also, you can take it straight to the kiln or forge once it's semi-dry. That will cause it to puff up in areas, but it shouldn't crumble off as long as the blade was very clean before applying.
 
The Rutlands will puff but stay also if it goes in semi dry. I let it dry to the touch then put it in the kitchen oven on a very low heat for about 5-10 minutes to fully dry the cement. Then it doesn't puff in the kiln. And after the quench it pops off with relative ease.
 
What the clay is isn't nearly as important as how it is applied.

I like satanite, but APG#36 or Rutlands are also good. Satanite is best, IMHO, because you mix it fresh every time and to the exact consistence you want. Properly applied, it stays on the blade well in HT.

Start with a thin wash coat over the whole baled. Mix the satanite to a consistency of cream ( very thin). Let that dry ( a hair dryer helps). Once dry, add a little more satanite powder to the satanite pot and make it like thin pancake batter. Apply in a fairly thin layer to make the hamon pattern. 1/16" to 1/8" is all you need. Dry well and HT.

BTW, this procedure is called yaki ire.

Wally Sorrels has several great videos on making a hamon. One of the best tips from his info is making a proper stand to hold the blade while doing the clay-up. Another is using popsicle sticks for the application.
 
Thanks for the info Stacy. I use one of these vises from Stanley to hold my blades while claying the blade. I can keep the tang secured in the vise while rotating to any angle without disturbing the clay.



 
i4Marc said:
Thanks for the info Stacy. I use one of these vises from Stanley to hold my blades while claying the blade. I can keep the tang secured in the vise while rotating to any angle without disturbing the clay.



Click to expand...

Never seen a Stanley panavise like that. It just went on the "things I need list".

Jay
 
Stacy,

I have Walter's videos so I know he does the wash. Can you explain a bit why the wash is used? Is it to help the thicker applications to adhere? I would think that you'd want the section to be hardened to cool as fast as possible. Wouldn't even a wash in that area cause some kind of drag on the cooling rate?
 
The wash seems to promote quick hardening- any bubbles that form initially that would keep quench medium away from the steel burst when the wash blows off the edge.
 
Funny, I just got done watching this "old" vid by Stephen Fowler yesterday, in which he explains the few different advantages the thin wash has.. He loses track of what he is taking about for a minute or so but don't worry, he goes on to finish explaining a lil futher in the vid ;) I wish he would make some more/ new WIP vids though!!

[video=youtube;vNNJu5-SG1o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNNJu5-SG1o[/video]

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
stephanfowler said:
oh lord, it hurts to see OLD me sometimes.
Click to expand...

Haha, He lives! :D I think you could fix that by making some new vids already man!! ;) Seriously though, your san mai chef knife series as well as that dagger series were very enjoyable to watch and very informative. You are a natural teacher imo, and I would love ta see you make something with an extra 4-5 years experience on top. :thumbup: Anyway it's good ta see you're ststill active here on BF, even if it's just a lil bit. :)


~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
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