I'm about to extend the tang on a few damasteel blades, and need to keep the blade-temp down. All ideas are welcome 
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How to keep blade cool while silversoldering the tang?
- Thread starter P.K.Hansen
- Start date
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Unless the existing tang is very short, there will be no real problem. The heat doesn't conduct back that far enough to raise the blade above the tempering point. Placing a sheet of metal over the blade, clamping it in a vise, or wrapping it in a damp cloth can help if you are worried.
When I silver solder on an extension, I set the blade with the tang upright in a third-hand clamp or vise, and apply the hard solder or brazing metal to the extension. When it flows, I place the extension in place on the tang and braze them together. Once solidified, I stick the blade portion in the slack tub to cool it off, and let the joint air cool.
Re-temper the blade after this to make sure the tang isn't brittle.
However, I don't know how well Damasteel will silver solder. You might be better off to weld the extension on. Try it out on some scrap first to see.
When I silver solder on an extension, I set the blade with the tang upright in a third-hand clamp or vise, and apply the hard solder or brazing metal to the extension. When it flows, I place the extension in place on the tang and braze them together. Once solidified, I stick the blade portion in the slack tub to cool it off, and let the joint air cool.
Re-temper the blade after this to make sure the tang isn't brittle.
However, I don't know how well Damasteel will silver solder. You might be better off to weld the extension on. Try it out on some scrap first to see.
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Thanks.
I'll try to clamp it to the anvil on my vise, with a long piece of brass on the top.
I'll try to clamp it to the anvil on my vise, with a long piece of brass on the top.
Hengelo_77
Basic Member
Stick the blade in a large potato
I placed the blade on an aluminum plate, and clamped an aluminum block on top. Then I placed some wet paper on the rest of the blade that was sticking out . Work perfectly fine. Didn't look very professional though 
Thanks for all your ideas.
Thanks for all your ideas.
The potatoe thing does work very well, but you may not get many to believe that. I was given that by someone who worked in an army gunshop. I have used the potatoe thing several times but when to a product called "heat trap" or something like that. Frank