I need help with a damascus billet

[perfectpitman]

I was watching a knife making video yesterday and decided I wanted to make one so I ordered a cheap damascus billet and some handle scales off of eBay and then realized I have no clue actually how to make a knife haha. I guess my main question is do I need to do anything to the billet before I start shaping it? Do I need to anneal it? And then after I get it shaped, do I need to harden and temper it? And if you have any other advice I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance

 

[perfectpitman]

Perhaps I posted this I'm the wrong forum

 

[LX_Emergency]

You kind of are. But to be fair...you waited less than a half hour.

The billet will most likely be in a soft state (if it came from a reputable maker). If so...just shape it.

After that it will have to be hardened and tempered yes.

My advice is....read up a little more before you get started on it.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You have two copies of this thread running. I am closing this one.