Mokume'
What materials are you using? What method did you use to fuse it?
To get an attractive pattern, the mokume billet you have now must be cut, stacked, and re-welded ( to make more and finer layers).
I start with a 2"X2"X2" block, fuse it in a torque plate, and work it down to about 1/2". From this I cut pieces to pattern, and then work a piece out into a smooth and even bar about 3/8" thick. At this point it will have a random pattern, and be OK looking, but farther patterning will make it nicer. You can either drill little divots about 1/8" deep all over both sides, or cut grooves across both sides ( don't line up either side to side). Forge this out flat, and sand down smooth to about 3/16"-1/4" and you will have raindrop pattern or ladder pattern. Any of the simple damascus patterning methods can be done with mokume'.
Here is a really neat trick I came up with for a special knife project.
Take a piece of the 3/8" random mokume', and cut off two chunks just a little larger than the guard and butt cap you are planning on making. Pull out your metal stamping punches and take the two for your initials ( or whatever letters/numbers you wish). In my case it would be "S" and "A". Stamp deeply with "SA" all over the pieces. The butt only needs one side done, but do both sides on the guard. Make the stampings at random spacing, rotation, and angles so it doesn't look like a typewriter did it ( Unless that is part of the effect you want). Now, file/grind/sand the metal down until you just get to the bottom of the stamp depressions. At this point sand the metal smooth to 400 grit. The letters will show up in the pattern, especially after etching or patination. With some practice you can put a date in the pattern on the but cap like this. For more subtle and slightly warped initials,stamp very deep, then forge the piece flat (instead of grinding off the excess metal).
To take this a step farther, make a metal stamp with a simple shape you want repeated in the pattern ( for example, a wolfs head shape), and use that to make personalized mokume'.
(Note: You can add letters, numbers, shapes, or a message to the pattern on a damascus blade the same way. It just takes a harder punch, and usually a stamping press of some sort).
Food for thought;
Wedding cake knife with the date in the damascus blade and the initials in a heart on the mokume' butt cap.
Graduation knife
Birthday knife
Eagle Scout
You get the idea.
