Recommendation? Timascus bolster?

[NickHFSS]

Hello again , as you know by the other thread , I am working on a take down mammoth knife , it is all finished , only the end cap is left , I originally wanted mirror polished end cap but now I started to think about damascus or even better , since the tooth has blue in it , timascus , can you recommend where I can buy small piece of damascus or timascus ? if you worked with timascus how is it to work with , I need to bend the end cap is this possible with the given material ? does it need etching after polishing ? and how does it polish?
Thanks everyone
Nick

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Please keep talk of customers, sales, etc. out of your posts. You don't have a knifemaker membership.

 

[NickHFSS]

Please keep talk of customers, sales, etc. out of your posts. You don't have a knifemaker membership.

My apologies sir , fixed it

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Not a problem.

That is sure going to be a nice knife.

 

[NickHFSS]

Not a problem.

That is sure going to be a nice knife.

Thanks will post pictures when its done.
I was reading your info on ht-ing damasteel , thats a lot of steps to harden it for sure.... But I'm guessing I could use it in this case , bend it , polish and etch without problems yes?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Damasteel is very different from Timascus.

Damasteel is a powder metallurgy stainless made in RWL34 (there are some other types, too).
HT for Damasteel is the same as RWL34. Etching is best in a combination of a muriatic acid etch followed by an FC etch There are quite a few ways folks do that. Once shaped and etched, the pattern is pretty much permanent. Parts can be made, hardened, etched, and assembled with no damage to the finish and pattern.
.
Timascus is a proprietary titanium damascus and IIRC, only can be bought from Timascus Co. and Chuck at Alpha Knife Supply ( Chuck is one of the creators).
Timascus is not heat treated or hardenable. It can be heat colored or anodized to get a variety of colors. The color is a surface oxide and has to be the last thing done. It can rub off in use. Care must be used in attaching the fittings so as not to scratch or damage the color.

Both are expensive.

 

[NickHFSS]

Damasteel is very different from Timascus.

Damasteel is a powder metallurgy stainless made in RWL34 (there are some other types, too).
HT for Damasteel is the same as RWL34. Etching is best in a combination of a muriatic acid etch followed by an FC etch There are quite a few ways folks do that. Once shaped and etched, the pattern is pretty much permanent. Parts can be made, hardened, etched, and assembled with no damage to the finish and pattern.
.
Timascus is a proprietary titanium damascus and IIRC, only can be bought from Timascus Co. and Chuck at Alpha Knife Supply ( Chuck is one of the creators).
Timascus is not heat treated or hardenable. It can be heat colored or anodized to get a variety of colors. The color is a surface oxide and has to be the last thing done. It can rub off in use. Care must be used in attaching the fittings so as not to scratch or damage the color.

Both are expensive.

Thanks for the info , didnt know timascus color could rub off
Damasteel can be bent without it breaking or cracking, like regular steel until hardening ?

 

[Daniel Carraher]

The coloring on timascus can be scratched but I wouldn’t say it can be “rubbed off”. I work with timascus a lot and I think would be easier to use than damasteel. It definitely polishes easier and thin material would easy to bend.

I get all mine from Alpha knife supply.

 

[NickHFSS]

The coloring on timascus can be scratched but I wouldn’t say it can be “rubbed off”. I work with timascus a lot and I think would be easier to use than damasteel. It definitely polishes easier and thin material would easy to bend.

I get all mine from Alpha knife supply.

Thanks for the info , does it need annealing until I bend it ? I usually clamp on side on a car bearing and work it with the hammer , then do the other side same way , this will be possible with timascus yes? also I will need to make a groove on the inside will dremmel burrs work to do this?
Sorry for so much questions I just never worked with it , also for some reason since im in EU when I go over the pattern I like the site give access denied since im in eu , whats the price for .120 thick piece , I need enough for 2 bolster , so the size is very small , do they sell such small sizes or only bigger stock?

 

[Daniel Carraher]

Thanks for the info , does it need annealing until I bend it ? I usually clamp on side on a car bearing and work it with the hammer , then do the other side same way , this will be possible with timascus yes? also I will need to make a groove on the inside will dremmel burrs work to do this?
Sorry for so much questions I just never worked with it , also for some reason since im in EU when I go over the pattern I like the site give access denied since im in eu , whats the price for .120 thick piece , I need enough for 2 bolster , so the size is very small , do they sell such small sizes or only bigger stock?

it works exactly like titanium. It’s not hard to get it to curve with some heat. They sell small pieces and a ton of thicknesses. There’s also other sources for “mokuti” or other versions of essentially the same material in the US and in Europe

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, damasteel bends just like any stainless steel.

 

[AVigil]

@Alpha Knife Supply is a good source https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/shop/timascus-for-sale