San Mai project...need some help

[Robert Hankins]

Getting my forge up next week and of course I want to start out with a difficult project?
Need advice on doing a San Mai blade with 52100 center sandwiched between...What steel...No clue Possibly Cable...What diameter?
What is the best steel to wrap it in to give max toughness and flexibility. Planned on using 1/8" 52100 and 1/16" on either side about a 10" blade.
Someone who has done this maybe give some tips on the steps and materials I should use, would be very helpfull!

 

[clint c]

First, 52100 is a great steel all by it's self. If you do the Fowler heat treat method for this stuff, you probably won't make it any toughter by San Maiing it. If however your going for a fully hardened center core, try L-6 or cable damascus for the sandwich.

From what I've read about 52100, you receive alot more performance from it if it is forged below 1700 degrees or so. This would make forge welding the stuff detrimental, as of course you have to go up to at least 2100 degrees for the forge welding process. I've made a few knives from the stuff, and it does perform as advertised, but I was also careful about my temperatures. I personally havn't tried to weld it, but because of the chrome content, I believe it will be a bit harder to weld than plain old 10xx

I'd hold off on the 52100 San Mai and go with an 0-1 or 10xx series core and cable damascus. Cable of course is another story, as it has so many variables. Do a search on cable damascus and you'll get tons of ideas for what does and doesn't work. I'd go with at least 1" diameter, and if a press is available, go with several pieces in one bundle and forge them together. Maby even add a bit of nickle welding rod for contrast.

Anyway, just my thoughts on the subject. I'm sure others will chime in with more and better ideas. Welcome to forging!

Clint

 

[raker]

The first thing that you will have a problem with is that to make a forge weld that is 1/4" thick and about 10 inches long is tricky, I don't care what you use. What I use on my san mia with 52100 in the center, is 15N20, 1084, any kind of damascus, or what ever. The main thing is that the center be about 20 to 30 percent of the total thickness of the billet. The billet size will depend on the method of forging it and your optimum size for the billet. 52100 will make some very good damascus with 15N20 and have great contrast. Just don't take the billet to a white heat, as the 52100 will hot short at that temperature. When the flux runs off, and there are no shadows, it is time to hit it.
The mix of 52100 and 15N20 in a blade of 10 inches with over 500 layers, won the first Spirit of Steel cutting contest and another one of 500+ layers in a ladder pattern, passed the master smith test for me. As long as you normalize it a few times and anneal it, it works good. I also temper at 475 degrees and it has a Rc of about 57. You may want it a little harder. Kind of depends on what you need.