Mosaic Damascus

[mccoun]

I've been trying to make mosaic damascus guard stock. I've tried the box tubing welded tight with powdered steels and nickel in it. I tried 4 different powdered steels w/ nickel dividers but I'm not getting very good results.

What type of steels etch darker or lighter? I know this is alot of trial and error. I'm getting a good weld just not much contrast other than the nickel.

Can you put copper or brass in for bolster stock?

I've done stock removal for 20 yrs but I feel like a child trying to drive a backhoe.

Any help would be great. MM

 

[John N]

I think its manganese in the steel which leads to a dark etch. Steels etch differently once they have been heat treated, might come into the consideration?

sounds like a fun learning curve

 

[Don Hanson III]

You will need 1084 powder for the dark steel and 4600E for the silver.
Need to heat treat for darker, more contrast.

 

[mccoun]

Thanks mm