Is this normal on a Damascus Billet?

[ricky_arthur]

I bought this Billet that is "Guaranteed to be free from defects". I have not handled enough Damascus in the rough to know what is normal and acceptable but it appears to have several small defects.

These ones near the edge can be cut off I guess,

but this more subltle one in the Center is going to be right on the blade. You can feel with a fingernail that it is not welded completely. Is this type of thing normal? Is it an indicator that I will find it all through the Billet as I grind? Or should it grind off and be fine underneath?

Just trying to see what is normal and needs to be worked around or if this needs to be sent back.

Thanks.

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

That Looks poor to me. I would return it.

 

[Travis Fry]

They could just be surface level pitting that wasn't removed during surface grinding. In that case you'll probably be fine once you grind, but I'd talk to the maker first before I just sent it back as defective. If they're worth anything (and if it came from where I think it did, they are), they'll treat you right.

 

[Brett Mathews]

While I would not say its a good thing but it is easily worked around with proper planing. It happens with all the Damascus makers I have used except Damasteel So if you can work around it with out losing to much usable steel or contact the seller. Im sure they will make it right.

 

[Don Hanson III]

First two pics show surface imperfection, probably bottom of the hole from patterning.

Third looks like a flaw, that may or may not be deep.

 

[ricky_arthur]

here is a slightly better pic of the area I'm concerned with. Like I said, i can work around these things, unless they are indicators of a can of worms I'm about to cut into...

 

[tryppyr]

The one in the last pic concerns me the most. My guess is it runs too deep to be avoidable in the final product, unless you can cut around it.

 

[Barry Clodfelter]

That last pic looks like a bad weld. If you can see one on the surface are there others hidden inside?

 

[ricky_arthur]

I just got off the Phone with Alabama Damascus. They were nothing but class. Told me I could send it back and get another, or cut into it and see what happened and if I was unsatisfied with any portion or all of the billet they would make it right. He felt confident that I could grind through any imperfection on the surface, and if not, it would be made right.

Nice to do buisness with people who stand behind their product. I will do business with them again.

Now to start cutting.

 

[Capytan]

Good to know. Alabama Damascus will be used in the future. :thumbup:

 

[Robert Dark]

Brad once told me........ "There is a bad place in every piece of damascus...... Question is....... Are you lucky enough to find it? He was grinning like a mule eating saw-briars when he said it.

One thing about Alabama Damascus....... If you are not satisfied, Brad will make it right. Brad is as good as they come.

Robert