The good and "bad" heat treatment has on damascus

[SolarStorm50]

I am making a damascus axe had a great idea (all my idea's are great. At least I think so) that I should do a study between what a differential heat treatment and full heat treatment has on damascus

 

[DevinT]

Pearlite, tempered martensite and bainite etch dark, ferrite and fresh martensite don’t etch well.

Good job

Hoss

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On damascus objects, harden the whole object and torch-draw the temper back as needed on places you need to be softer than the edge. Even decorative objects and hardware ( pendants, guards and butt caps, etc.) should be hardened and then tempered softer to look good. Temper these objects to Rc50-55 and they can be shaped and tapped with no problem.

 

[SolarStorm50]

On damascus objects, harden the whole object and torch-draw the temper back as needed on places you need to be softer than the edge. Even decorative objects and hardware ( pendants, guards and butt caps, etc.) should be hardened and then tempered softer to look good. Temper these objects to Rc50-55 and they can be shaped and tapped with no problem.

very wise words.