Would anybody be intrested in started damascus billets?

Dan Seaver

Dan Seaver

Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
898
Well I was working on some damascus today and I remembered how daunting making damascus from Aldo's 1-1/2 1084 and 15n20 was before I got my power hammer running. Thus I thought that some of the guys without power hammers and presses might want started billets of a more manageable size.

The bar sizes would range from 1/2" square to 1/2"x1-1/5" and can be 3, 5, 7, or 9 layers. The thickness of the 1084 is 1/4" and the 15n20 can be 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", or 1/4". The bars would have all scale and forge pits removed from 2 surfaces, would be cut to the desired length of the buyer, and would come with my standard guarantee of being free from cold shuts (this guarantee does not apply to your welds though :)).

For steels other than 1084 and 15n20 I would require a down payment so I could purchase the steel.

If there is any interest I'll work up an average price.

Thanks
-Dan Seaver
 
Well for 9 layers, 5 of 1/4 1084 and 4 of 1/8 15n20; with a bar size of 1-1/4x1/2 it appears the price would be about $40 for 10 inches. It seems like a lot but after propane, electricity, and the labor you will save; it should work out favorable for you.
 
Just a idea and not telling you what to do, but, I (still don't have a press) and others would be more interested in some billets of that size that were of a higher layer count. Then guys that don't have power hammers or a press yet would have no welding or drawing out to do. The welds don't get me, but the draw outs do and thats what sucks for making damascus without a press or power hammer. With a 9 layer count 4 or 5 welds (144 or 288 layers) and draw outs are still needed to get to a good layer count for making patterns. Thats a lot of hand hammering. If you made each drawout into a another 4 layer stack you could have a 144 layer billet in 2 more passes of welds and draws with your press. If you offered the higher layer counts, the buyer could then twist, grind, drill or whatever to establish a pattern then forge to shape. I know it would mean more work and you would have to charge more, but, to me it would be worth it. I could control the patterns I wished to achieve, but, would not have to do all the hammering to get the usable billet. I would think such a billet would be worth say $80
 
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Well to put the pattern in for some patterns you would need a thicker bar like 1-1/2"x3/4". For 10 inches of that size in either 90 or 180 layers would be about $240 but since I wouldn't have to draw it out to a small size I would be happy to let it go for $200. For 10 inches in 1/2x1-1/2 $80 sounds fair to me.

The only thing I ask is that the bars I sell be used on your knives; I'm giving a substantial discount to you guys compared to the normal pricing of damascus thus I'm loosing a lot of profit. To have the bars be finished and sold at full price would be an insult to me. But given the quality of the guys here I'm not all too worried. :thumbup::)

I have a few billets to finish for my giveaway but after that I can provide the bars.

Does that sound fair to you guys?

-Dan
 
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