Science knowledge

[LakeOzark53]

I'm not a knife builder, but I am finding that, as I try to find out what one thing means, I have to find out what another thing is. An example of this is I was reading about Damascus steel and it mentions pattern welded steel. So I had to look up what pattern welded steel was. As I am reading about that, it mentions forge welded steel. So...I had to find out what forge welded steel is. So on and so on and so on.

So my question is for those of you who are knife makers/builders, do you have to have a great knowledge of science with all of the different elements, heat degrees and so on?

 

[Shorttime]

Search results for query: forge welding

www.bladeforums.com

I do enjoy the... discussion, around the differences between "damascus", pattern-welded, forge welded (same songs, different instruments), Wootz, and "watered steel". But that's because I'm a jerk, and I enjoy doing a bit of stirring.

Anyway. The search for "forge welding" brings up a couple threads that may get you started.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

So my question is for those of you who are knife makers/builders, do you have to have a great knowledge of science with all of the different elements, heat degrees and so on?

You have to achieve a working knowledge of things like metallurgy, heat treatment, knife construction, and a lot of basic skills, understanding your limits and then figuring out how to extend them. After that the "...and so on and so on and so on" that you mention is part of learning any skillset, it should be never ending. The working knowledge is the key to get started which is really only the tip of the iceberg. Hope that helps.