Timascus

[John L]

Is timascus made similarily to damascus? Different alloys forged welded ? I understand it is a patented process and you must pay to make it? What's up with this materials. Thanks

 

[NickWheeler]

My friends Tom Ferry and Bill Cottrell make it, then Chuck Bybee and his fam at AlphaKnifeSupply distribute it.

It's forge welded 6AL4V and CP (commercially pure) Ti.



-Nick-
http://www.wheelerknives.com

 

[Ed Caffrey]

Tom Ferry, ABS JS, is the inventor/creator of Timascus. It consists of various grades to titanium , forged welded in a manner similar to pattern welding steel. Tom does hold the patent on the product, the process, and the name Timascus.

The material is intended for guards, fittings, etc.

As for the paying to make it, you'd have to contact Tom for information. I do know enough about it to be able to say that most of us would not have the capability to produce it successfully in our shops.

Tom showed me the first piece he produced during a hammer in at my shop a few years ago. I asked him "Is this what I think it is?" He grinned and told me it was laminated titanium. I placed it back in his hand and told him that I didn't want to know anything else about it, until he had a patent.

I admire Tom a great deal....he is always thinking, and coming up with really great ideas, methods, and materials.

 

[mete]

I saw a photo of timascus which was anodized and the different layers had different colors -very striking !!

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

When Timascus was first made we had plans to teach people how to make it. However, the lawyers stepped in and said the liability was too great.

When Tom made the first attempt he caught his shop on fire. He said even the paint on his milling machine was on fire. Tom's wife did not know about the fire until she read the story in Blade Magazine. Telling her about the fire must of slipped his mind.

The process of making Timascus is very precise. If you are off buy a couple hundred degrees the titanium turns to liquid when pressed. This is what happened to Tom the first time. If the liquid titanium had squirted at Tom, he would have been seriously injured and could have been killed.

We recently reduced the price of Timascus. It is now less expensive than most damascus. If you need any give us a call.

 

[Kit Carson]

Here's one I made last year. Interesting material and Chuck has some several other patterns.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Whenever I think about Timascus, this knife by Nick Wheeler is what I remember. Some things just stick with you forever. The photo is from Alpha Knife Supply, and there's a whole lot more there. What beautiful stuff! I love this planet.

 

[butcher_block]

can you heat color it or must it be anodized
thanks
butch

 

[Bruce Bump]

Tom heat colors most of his timascus. Both methods work.

 

[polarbearforge]

At Batson's this year, Mardi demonstrated making titanium laminate. He talked about the same thing, tight temperature controls and the dangers of overshooting it. It definately is a neat end product with an amazing look.

Jamie

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

At Batson's this year, Mardi demonstrated making titanium laminate.

How did the demonstration go?

 

[polarbearforge]

Really good. Each time that he demonstrated it, a good sized usable piece was obtained. No molten titanium showers or anything.

Jamie