Need help choose steel for welding Damascus.

[mahalarbknives]

Hello I need help for nice steel for forged welding Damascus steel

The Steel I can buy in this country not much. And I learning about knife making on internet ,

here steel list in hand 5155 , 1050 w1, o1, L6,52100. (Have many 5155,1050 )

I found in knife making book tell me o1/L6. Can do nice Damascus.

Maybe I gonna buy L6. For can change to L6/1050, L6/5160 ,L6/w1. ???

I trying forged welding. 1050/junk leaf springcar(5160?) (Pictures)

,

 

[jdm61]

O1/L6 is considered to be among the best combination, but it is not for beginners.

 

[Salem Straub]

If that's what you have available, I'd go with O1/L6 for sure, but as Joe says it's a bit demanding. Search out what you can find on the net to read about it.

Here is a thread in which Kevin Cashen explains pretty clearly the issues involved, and how to get past them...
http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34755

Nice project you have going there, by the way! What is your nationality?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A simple mix is any upper 10X steel ( 1085, 1095, W2) and 15N20. L6 will work for the 15N20 if up can't get it.

The big band saw blades ar lumber mills are 15N20, and they sell the used blades for scrap. A lot of makers use this for their damascus mix.

52100 and 15N20 also makes a good damascus.