Making damascus with 01 and what else?

S

stax

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Jan 6, 2009
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I want to experiment making some damascus tonite. I need 2 different metals to do it right? Would a low carbon piece i have from the Depot work or would it end up too soft in spots? What's a good metal to mix the 01 with?
 
Hi,
In my opinion, the best steel to mix with O1 is L6. But you'll have to find a smith willing to flatten some for you, because it's very hard to find in flat stock.

Phillip
 
I have some A2 laying around. Do you think it would be worth tring that instead of chasing down some L6?
 
You could use the mild steel, but I'd suggest a san mai type with O1 for the edge steel, as the mild will lower your overall carbon % quite a bit...

I wouldn't suggest using A2...
Get some 15n20, its basically 1075 with nickel, its great stuff for the bright layers.
 
From what I've read, it's best to use steel that has close to the same hardening recipes, and A2 is air-hardening, so it would not be a good option to put with O1
 
Ok, I'm going to be the voice of reason here for a minute...

If you're just starting out in learning how to forge weld for damascus, O-1 is probably not the best steel to be starting with. O-1, if worked too hot, will go red short on you and crumble. It mixes very well with L-6, but L-6, if not forged hot enough, doesn't want to move at all under a hammer. With this combination, you have about a 400 degree window of useful forgeability which makes it IMHO, not the best combo to cut your teeth on.

What I recommend to folks, and what I teach people with is 1080 (or 1084) and 15n20. It is a very forgiving mixture for the first time welder, heat treats beautifully, and contrasts very well. Give a call to Kelly Cupples and have him send you out a package of 1080 and 15n20. You can get Kelly's phone number and price list here. He's a fantastic guy to deal with and sells a very good product. Another great guy to deal with for 1084 is Aldo Bruno. Check his posts in the for sale section to get some of his famous 1084. I really like this steel and it's always been of the highest quality. I'm just not sure if he has much in stock until the next mill run which is coming up very soon.

Take care,
-d
 
James Batson used to teach damascus making with 1030 ( home depot steel) and O-1. He used three pieces of 1/4" O-1 and two pieces of 1/4" mild steel.
I agree that O-1 and 15N20 make a good mix.
Stacy
 
The best option to mix with O-1 is indeed L-6.
15n20 is also an option, but it may not harden sufficiently if you quench for O-1.
A-2 would be a poor choice, and so would mild steel, and your color would not be very bright with either.
Call carpenter or crucible and get some L-6, it will be worth it!
Del
 
Stax,

Welcome to the club! Be sure to get to know every one of these guys real well. They'll debate the facts till your eyes cross. They all have different methods, use different steels and all make OUTSTANDING damascus.



Hey Deker. I don't know if I would go right to great, but I do feel the love:o

Aldo
 
i would use 15n20 with 1070 to 1085. doing your first weld is hard enought without adding trubble to the mix.
 
Thanks for al of the information. I'll wait until I have the right stuff and go from there. I appreciate everybodys input.
 
I like to use O-1 steel with Admirals substitute for L6. For me it welds easy and I like the way it looks in a twist pattern. I use three 1/4" pieces of O-1 and two 1/4" pieces of the Admiral substitute L6. I go to 320 layers then finish with a twist pattern.
I have used 1084 with 15 N20, but for me, I like the O-1 and Admiral a little better.
If you would like to send me your e-mail address I will send you a picture of this type of damascus. I would post a picture myself, but can't. If you would care to post my picture that would be fine with me.
 
Tom Lewis said:
I like to use O-1 steel with Admirals substitute for L6. For me it welds easy and I like the way it looks in a twist pattern. I use three 1/4" pieces of O-1 and two 1/4" pieces of the Admiral substitute L6. I go to 320 layers then finish with a twist pattern.
I have used 1084 with 15 N20, but for me, I like the O-1 and Admiral a little better.
If you would like to send me your e-mail address I will send you a picture of this type of damascus. I would post a picture myself, but can't. If you would care to post my picture that would be fine with me.
Click to expand...

Tom,

I'd really like to see these pictures. If you email them to me through bladeforums I'll post them up.

Thanks,

-d
 
Here's the photo that Tom sent me of O-1/8670 mixed.

Tom_Lewis_o-1_8670.JPG


-d
 
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