sheremee

I've been wondering how to weld cable to make damascus, so I'll echo Tom's question of flux.

I am new also, but have used this magnet method for hardening drilling extension rod, which I've been told is high carbon. I've made strikers from it. It seems to work just fine for that purpose.

The blood groove was supposedly put in place to inhibit the suction of a human body from holding the blade in the body. The groove allowed air in to break the suction. Widening and strengthening the blade is a more probably truth, but both ideas are plausible.