WIP Cinco-Mai

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

Joined
Feb 24, 2000
Messages
1,957
I have made a number of San-Mai three layer knives and decided I would make some five layer knives. I don't know if anyone has ever used the term "Cinco-Mai" before or not. Anyway, if anyone chooses to use the term, you won't be getting a letter from my lawyer.
I start with a 1/4" piece of 410 SS, a 1/8" piece of 15N20, then a 1/4" piece of 01, then 15N20, and 410SS.
I grind the pieces clean, stack them up and use my wire welder to weld up all the seams.
Then I put the billet in my forge which is up and running and has reached over 2200 degree.
 
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five pieces of steel, 410 SS, 15N20, 01, 15n20, 410 SS the pieces are 3" long and ground clean.
 
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The pieces stacked up ready for welding. I use my wire welder to weld up all the seams. This is whats called a dry weld. No flux. The seams are all welded up so no oxygen can get in.
 
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as soon as the billet is welded, it goes in the forge. The forge is already almost up to heat.
 
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After the billet is up to heat it goes under the press for a quick press. I press both sides to keep the 01 centered.
 
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Next, after the billet gets up to temperature, it goes under a 100lb little Giant Power Hammer.
 
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This is after the billet is drawn out with the power hammer. I hit the flats and also the edge of the billet. I try to get the billet to about 1/4" thick.
 
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After another heat I go back to the press with these round dies. I want to put some ripples in the billet.
 
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After the round dies in the press. I am making a full tang blade so I just use the round dies on the blade, not the tang.
 
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Then after another heat I go back to the 100 lb little giant to smooth the billet out. After this I don't try to forge to shape. I want to keep the 01 centered. Also, I don't want to take a chance of the billet coming apart.
 
I think the Japanese word for five layer is go-Mai, but I choose to call mine Cinco-Mai.
 
Cool! I was just thinking about this the other day. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
 
JT, I didn't build my press. I bought it used. It is not the best, but it came at a good price. I can take more pictures if that would help, but as far as the details, I don't know since I didn't build it.
 
Tom after you hit it with the round dies, you just flatten it back out with the power hammer? That doesn't just straighten the layers out? I was thinking I'd have to grind it closer to flat before flattening it out when I tried this again. But I would be flattening in a press if that makes any difference.
 
Kuraki, after I hit the billet with the round dies, I just flatten it back out. You would think that would take all the pattern out, but it doesn't. I know with a ladder pattern you grind off the high ridges before forging, but the way I am doing it will also leave a pattern. At least that's what I expect.

JT, I will try to post some pictures of my press. I think there are lots better designs, but mine came cheap and with my power hammers, I usualy just use the press to set the weld.

Tomorrow I will try to get some more work done on this project.
 
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