Phillip Patton Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Hey folks, I recently started this project over on another forum, and thought I might as well "mirror" it here. Enjoy! I'm forging a billet of "Gordian's Knot" damascus. The original bar had about 100 layers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Big version of that last photo: The billet after sitting around for a few days: I'm soaking it in acid for a while to loosen the scale. Then I'll grind most of the cracks from the twisting off. That way I'll know that I won't be forging them into the blade, and risk ruining everything.... This is the drawing of the knife I'm making: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Thanks for showing the progression of your work. Very interesting. I look forward to following you. Mark<>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 finished pictures? I'm just getting started. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me miller Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Nice recurve design with very nice long clip. It will be good to see it as you work on it. Very enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshua.M Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I'm just getting started. Not done layering? what is the count now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Not done layering? what is the count now? Yes, the patterning is done, and there are some pictures of the pattern in post numbers 2 and 3. I thought you were asking for pics of the finished knife.... The billet is made up of 4 bars, each with 100 layers. Two bars are twisted clockwise, the other two counterclockwise. Then all four are welded together, then the resulting bar is twisted clockwise. Then it's forged flat. That's pretty much all I've done so far. Tomorrow if I feel like it (I'm getting over a bug of some sort) I'll forge the blade to shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Here's what it looks like after soaking in HCL for a couple days: After angle grinding down to bare metal: After cleaning up on the belt grinder: I want to make sure the billet is flawless before I waste the effort forging a blade... Looks good so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2703adam Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 looks Amazing! I can't wait to see the finished product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Keep on posting. It's better than whats on tv. Mark<>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 Well, I think today's the day for forging. But first, I need to make an aluminum template, which I did yesterday: I also welded a sturdier handle onto the billet: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrnewberry Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Looks like you have it well planned out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 Looks like you have it well planned out! "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Really, every knife I forge gets a template, and a drawing. Some people can seemingly whip out a really nice knife with no planning or forethought, but that doesn't usually work for me. I like to know where I'm going and how I'm going to get there. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 Some pics of the forging: It's not quite done yet. I'll finish it next time I have the forge fired up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messerist Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Excellent pictorial! Thank you for sharing this. Waiting in anticipation for the finished pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 i agree- lovely clear photos - looks amazing! thanks for bothering to show us in such detail! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiapan Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I cant wait to see the final project, I bet the pattern will look amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Finished forging the blade today, and also thermal cycled it, and then ground it. Just have to file the guard shoulders and stamp my mark on it, then it's ready for heat treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Y Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Trully Outstanding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Patton Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 Yesterday I heat treated the blade, and this morning I re-ground it. I started to hand sand it, and decided it could use a little more tempering, so it's back in the oven now. Here it is after hardening: Hardness testing: Re-grinding the ricasso and tang: Beveling the edge prior to grinding the blade: Re-ground with a 60 grit Blaze belt: Ground with a 240 grit belt: The blade in my hand sanding setup: A quick etch after a little sanding with 400 grit paper: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 wow! so so cool. beautiful - thanks for all the photos:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I feel as if I'm watching you work. Thanks so much. Mark<>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.