steel prep question(for damascus)

[DEllis]

Hi guys.
I was wondering if any of you have good luck forge welding Aldo's 1084 and 15n20 as supplied. It is pickled and quite clean, but I don't want any welding flaws that I can avoid. But, if it will weld fine then there is no reason for me to burn up grinding belts for nothing. All the forge welding I have done so far was with clean ground surfaces. Any input from guys with more experience would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Darcy

 

[Tom Lewis]

I always grind the surface. I know there are those that don't, but I want to eliminate any chance of a welding flaw.

 

[Don Hanson III]

If the mill scale is gone no need to grind.

The 1084 I got from Aldo a few years ago has heavy scale and needs grinding.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

The 1084 Aldo is supplying now is clean and can be forge welded as is. Damascus is very labor intensive with the final product being quite valuable; anything I can do to assure the outcome, I will do.

 

[Leethal Cutlery]

I always give it a quick lick on the belts just to be sure. Even if it looks clean ill still do it just so there are no problems later on.

 

[DEllis]

Thanks guys.......pretty much the answer I expected. I don't like to make mistakes, especially if they can be easily avoided. Sometimes the easy way is the hard way............. and vice versa
Much obliged.
Darcy