L6 Damascus

[Burton Harruff]

Kelly Cupples has 1/8" 1080 and the 15n20. Might want to check him out also.

 

[JTknives]

I would really like to find some 1/16" 1080, 1084 or 1095 to go with the .058 or .065 15n20 so i can get a higher starting layer count.

 

[deker]

Ok so now where to get the best price on 15n20 and 1084. i was thinking of getting the 1084 from aldo but it's 1/4" thick. is it possible to find 15n20 that thick to match up with the 1/4" 1084 if not then what?

This is less important than you might think. The brights tend to show up looking bigger than they are in the end. I use 1/4" 1084 and .058" 15n20 and it looks about right.

Here's an example:

That was 13 layers (I think) of 1/4"1084 and .058" 15n20, drawn into two square bars, twisted, and welded back together.

-d

 

[JTknives]

that looks great, that's the look I'm trying to get. it is funny, i would have thought that the bar stock would have been the same size in that billet with how the lines are.

 

[NickWheeler]

I get 1080 and 15N20 from Kelly... all sheared to just the size I want.

You can double up the 15N20 to even out the "color." That's what I do.

 

[S.Knowles]

that looks great, that's the look I'm trying to get. it is funny, i would have thought that the bar stock would have been the same size in that billet with how the lines are.

The nickle in the 15n20 prevents it from "compressing" as much. Its tough stuff.

Shawn

 

[Don Hanson III]

I also get my 15n20 from Kelly, sheared to size. The shearing is worth the total cost.
I quit using free 15n20 because its a pain to cut up.

I use 1/4" 1084 from Aldo and .070" to .095" 15n20.

 

[scottickes]

I get 1080 and 15N20 from Kelly... all sheared to just the size I want.

You can double up the 15N20 to even out the "color." That's what I do.

You can see how to make it even with Nicks stack up. Here's one that I did that is layered wider and wider with both steels as I move from bottom to top of the billet. I like stacking them up this way from time to time to add some happy surprises to the pattern. Let your imagination run wild when stacking them up, cause the weirder they are, the neater they usually end up looking. I'm still working on this one. I've been doing a W's pattern with this one. It's turning out well so far. I usually take two to three sessions to get damascus done, since I don't have my own hammer or press.

Just keep good notes on how you stacked, folded, and manipulated, so that you can repeat it when it turns out incredibly well!!

 

[NickWheeler]

That's a really great idea Scott! :thumbup:

 

[JTknives]

I get 1080 and 15N20 from Kelly... all sheared to just the size I want.

You can double up the 15N20 to even out the "color." That's what I do.

Nick what is the billet size on the puppy. Right now i am a hand forger but will be building a small mini press to do larger billets.

 

[NickWheeler]

Jarod, it was 1.5" wide, 6" long (that's the sizes I get from Kelly) and I think it was about 4-4.5" tall. Definitely would be a bear by hand! 1/3 this size with a good heavy hammer with a drawing face would be doable though.

Since Bubba-doll has proven really supportive of your knifemaking, you might see if she'll handle the billet while you work as striker, so you can double fist a heavy sledge.

 

[JTknives]

Jarod, it was 1.5" wide, 6" long (that's the sizes I get from Kelly) and I think it was about 4-4.5" tall. Definitely would be a bear by hand! 1/3 this size with a good heavy hammer with a drawing face would be doable though.

Since Bubba-doll has proven really supportive of your knifemaking, you might see if she'll handle the billet while you work as striker, so you can double fist a heavy sledge.

That's a really good idea. She loves playing with hot stuff . now to find a large 2 handeded forging hammer

 

[JTknives]

Nick what is the thickness of that stock. it looks to be like maybe 3/16" 1080 with .065" 15n20. I might go with 1/8" 1080 with .058" 15n20. that way i can get more starting layers in a smaller billet.