Mosaic Damascus

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gthouse

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Feb 16, 2010
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Just an observation on mosaic damascus. The name derives from tile work. So, Mosaic damascus is a geometric progression of pattern or has a tile like appearance. Any thoughts.
Respectfully, Gary House
 
that is a good point Gary. I see alot of Damascus billed as "mosaic" when in my opinion it is just nicely patterened, pattern welded steel with no tiling of any sort apparent in the work.
 
Interesting question. Steve Dunn stated in one of his seminars that he did not consider many patterns to be true mosaics, but rather, composits. I tend to agree.

Multiple damascus pieces welded together to form a given design on the end of the bar, then exposed by way of accordian-cutting or ladder-cutting, then flattened would be a composit. So would stacking longitudinal bars like in a Turkish twist pattern.

To the best of my knowledge, a true mosaic consists of arranging and welding damascus tiles together in an actual mosaic fashion. Tiles may be welded on both sides of a central core, or scarf welded in the manner of the "Ferry-Flip," or by arranging the tiles in a can for welding.

Someone elaborate further, please. This is good stuff!

Cheers,

TV


Terry L. Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
Yes, very good point.
I have heard multi-bar damascus called 'mosaic' when it's actually not.
 
Well, considering that "damascus" is a bit of a misnomer to begin with as this type of steel or wootz for that matter was likely never produced in Damascus, Syria to begin with, I think that we can give folks a bit of leeway. I could be a wet blanket and point out that the traditional art of mosaic generally did not consist of large tiles of repeating patterns, but the use of tiny individual peices of colored glass, stone or ceramic to create a picture or design in much the same way that George Seurat used little dots of paint. But then again, "Mexican Tile Bathroom Floor" damascus doesn't sound very sexy, so I guess we can stick with mosaic.;)
 
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At this stage of the game, without any "authority" to determine definitions, discussions such as this are part of the way bladesmiths (with a small "b") are deciding what to call what.

I've heard a definition of "mosaic" as any pattern which is developed in the end of the bar, and then exposed by accordian - cutting or tiling. Composites, twists, ladders, all would have the pattern developed in the side of the billet.

It's a good discussion, in that we might be able to talk about this stuff more easily with a common set of definitions.

John
 
Mosaic. Damascus. Custom knife. Fighter. Bowie. Et al....

Excellent discussion, which no stark answer will emerge.

But I'll know it when I see it. :D

Coop
 
Good Thread Gary Hear is 3 ex I would call mosaic the first two our done by the Ferry flip way putt the 3rd is done buy the way they call loafing the pattern is compressed at the end of the par then opened up as you forge out the blade I would call this a mosaic. ? would I be wrong to do so
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John White said:
I've heard a definition of "mosaic" as any pattern which is developed in the end of the bar, and then exposed by accordian - cutting or tiling. Composites, twists, ladders, all would have the pattern developed in the side of the billet.



John
Click to expand...
Good explanation John,
This is the defininition by which I refer and have come to understand it.

Shawn
 
As a "non knifemaker", when I hear the term "mosaic" it brings to mind assembled from pieces.

Tvandeventer's definition describes it well in my opinion.

Peter
 
John White said:
At this stage of the game, without any "authority" to determine definitions, discussions such as this are part of the way bladesmiths (with a small "b") are deciding what to call what.

I've heard a definition of "mosaic" as any pattern which is developed in the end of the bar, and then exposed by accordian - cutting or tiling. Composites, twists, ladders, all would have the pattern developed in the side of the billet.

It's a good discussion, in that we might be able to talk about this stuff more easily with a common set of definitions.

John
Click to expand...

Thats what I've always heard too John, except the end pattern can be exposed in many ways not just tiling or accordian cutting, a twist can expose it as can stacking billets with end pattern exposed and then elongating, no tile slicing necessary. Another one of those titles that has many angles of opinions.

Bill
 
jdm61 said:
the traditional art of mosaic generally did not consist of large tiles of repeating patterns, but the use of tiny individual peices of colored glass, stone or ceramic to create a picture or design
Click to expand...

you mean like this?

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Very nice discussion. I firmly belive that a mosaic is a geometric progression. A random end grain does not a mosaic make. Just a personal opnion developed over 15 years of forging.
Gary
 
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