Steve Sells

Has anyone ever tried making a laminated blade- one with a mild steel core and tool steel edges?

Matt

San Mai translates 3 layers, how is this NOT san mai ? and if you read my URL it was general info about welding the metals.

Welcome to the Site, there are a lot of people in many areas of smithing here. I am sure you will find many things you never dreamed of doing. I sure have.

Many Viking Swords had iron cores with the outer layers welded over them. It is hard to address your issues with out more detail.

Using general terms is hard to understand, If the tool steel could be A2, its not gonna work, where as if the tool steel is W-2 it should be fine.

Welding the sandwich should pose no troubles, IF you are experienced with forge welding, You didn't state if you have tried others welds or if this is your first time. IF first. did you clean it well enough? flux? correct temp?

If you need a primer to help you get started, I have one I wrote at How to make Damascus Blades which explains forge welding and steel types.

Funny how every one is missing the simplest and cheapest way to get a flat edge.

Files have been used for centuries, they didn't have Bader B-3 back then, and I didn't have one till a month ago. Even so I still love my files. I can file things and shapes I would never try to get with a power tool

He is experiencing a time-out.

Only if you LIKE sleeping on the couch Brother Frosty...:o

was it cleaned before ya tried? what it hot enough, what did you use for flux, how do you know it was L6 ?

IF you need a place to store a >300 pound anvil PM me. I have space in my shop for one I will feed it and polish it often

I use the cheap spray paint, ALSO I have statigicaly placed metal particles to protect the table from spatter. My freinds think this is just dirt and dust, but its a clever disguise.

I use an old chisle to bump off whatever does stick.

Thomas, as for annoying the archeo types... I like your style,

In service to the Midrelm,:D

George Washington's Mount Vernon - Blacksmiths' Shop

this link is to the article about the restoration/rebuilding of George Washingtons blacksmith shop in Mount Vernon, it should be finished this year.

This is the pic I was sent by my client I have no clue as to origins, or time, but since his deposit check cleared, I am happy to do it for him.

I am not sure if he is a re-enactor, but I was told he is big on RPG's. While I don't do pure fantasy, I liked this idea of a willow leaf theme. If this is way off of histotic design, please don't tell him until after I get paid :D

Nice start. keep up the good work.

I will post more pictures as I can get them taken. Before I can finish, I have to line my gas forge, so I can harden this blade as well as a pattern welded katana, as both are ready to finish and go to their new owners.

my little brother and his wife raise Morgans. they also have, for pleasure a paint, an arab, and a southwestern buro (looks a lot like me and little brother I am told)

Why it is the people see you in a forge and assume we can shoe their horses? I dont mind helping my sister in law and brother. but they say they need size oo or 5 to replace what is on there now, or whatever and I get looked at funny when I am clueless?

Just a fast rant.... I feel better now , Sorry yer Lame Pete, do we have to shoot you now ?

I had a nice show last fall 30 small blades on display in the glass case, nice cool morning at the Ren Faire, then the SUN came out, when that light hit them in the case, I had to put 8 blades back in the transport case.

When the lunch crowd thinned out I went into the pavillion and started hand polishing the 'clouds' that appreared on my blades. lucky for me I do carry rouge and felt cloth in addition to oil and windex.

dont forget the sun light too. it can show some strange things. I was very embarrased

Well, I'm not allowed to wear one, but I must say...I LOVE guys who can pull off wearing a kilt!!! And I am one of the official kilt checkers at the Renfaire

I will have to renenber that next time I get to Ms for a ren fiare. My blood is viking, but I married into the Furgeson and Glass Clan's, and as such I have a Blackwatch Kilt and a Ferguson as well.

I just finished rough grinding this 24 inch leaf blade, out of 5160H. The width at the buldge is 2 inches, the widest part at the base is 2 1/4. thickness at base is a little over 1/4 inch and less than 1/8 at 1 inch from tip.

The fittings will be continuing the willow theme, in Wrought Iron/Tool steel damascus, with some 5a figured walnut for the grip and scabbard.


I will post more when I get her polished, and mounted :D

I must Disagree Phillip.

My Wife and I are in our late 40's, as such I am sure I have done many things to annoy her over the years. So I do NOT want her holding a large hammer standing above me, as my striker, because it would give her easy opportunity to "get away with it" and I am not ready to die yet. :p

I dissagree about not tempering, While one may not need very high temps, a stress buildup can break the blade, a bake at 350F won't remove much if any hardness, but it will remove much stress that builds up in the quench.

Having said that I know a few bladesmiths (Very few) that quench O1 in water, then do not temper at all, but if we were that good/lucky at this process we would not be posting questions like this in the first place.

And for a large blade such as a sword do we really want a RhC of 60+ anyway? play it safe and at least temper at 350F or so.

Another set of question for those that really recomend not tempering at all: Have you ever done it? more than once? have the baldes ever been used?

IMHO its asking for trouble not to releave the stresses induced by quenching in some way. But I admit that I am an arrogant bladesmith.

Most of the time I am a Union Electrician, which also means a lot of spare time between assignments from the union hall, so when I am waiting for work there, I am a bladesmith/blacksmith. I also teach medical classes for the American Red Cross, as an EMT-B; and I teach Jujitsu.

Here is what I hang out the side of the tent at the faire's

that pattern in the steel works GREAT with the fiber handle, you did a wonderful job, you have a good eye.

sweet now you have to update that grip on the shooter with that wood too. I Love the grain amd colors of your walnut

wont admit it was mine

You did great job, Very nice work, as for my first blade? NO one will ever see it, and IF somehow they do I will deny I made it.

Great Work Dodge