90 layer Stout EDC Knife

[kayakersteve]

Here is my latest - 90 layers 1095, 1084 and 15n20 - Spalted maple burl -

 

OAL - 6"
Handle 2 7/8"
Blade tip to sclaes 3 1/8"

[Anachronist58]

Wow. the dominant dark etch is striking.  beautiful.

[mitch4ging]

Indeed, very nice looker. Like the wood match with the blade. Plus it wont scare off anybody if u pull it out to open a box!;)

[kayakersteve]

This one was striking before I even etched it - these two pics show detail right out of quench tank when hardening it

[Loneforge]

Nice job man!

[rthibeau]

axes....always seem to think axes when I see them fine blades........... :)

[Dodge]

Neat l'il knife! BTW, what is EDC?

[mitch4ging]

Neat l'il knife! BTW, what is EDC?

EDC= Every Day Carry.

[Tat2edangel]

Bravo! Great knife.

[kayakersteve]

Thx for all of the replies - I learn a little more with each one I do!

[DevilDog0402]

Excuse my ignorance, but does "90 layers" mean its been folded 90 times or the 3 different steels were hammered together and folded 30 times?

 

Either way it looks very nice.

[Steve Sells]

neither, 90 layers means 90 layers . 

 

if it is just a fold (a term that is a real misnomer in most cases)  we double what we had in a fold.  So starting with 10 layers the first fold results in a billet of= 20, layers.  If we then fold again =40 then folded again = 80 layers.

 

In most cares we do not actually do a 'fold'. Much faster, If we start with 10 pc of steel, weld and draw, then cut that welded billet into 3 and reweld,  resulting in 30 layers.  When we do it again, draw and cut into 3 and reweld again we have 90 layers. This was the same effort as 2 "folds"  but less fuel has been used, and less metal lost to forge scale to get the layer count up also.

[DevilDog0402]

neither, 90 layers means 90 layers . 

 

if it is just a fold (a term that is a real misnomer in most cases)  we double what we had in a fold.  So starting with 10 layers the first fold results in a billet of= 20, layers.  If we then fold again =40 then folded again = 80 layers.

 

In most cares we do not actually do a 'fold'. Much faster, If we start with 10 pc of steel, weld and draw, then cut that welded billet into 3 and reweld,  resulting in 30 layers.  When we do it again, draw and cut into 3 and reweld again we have 90 layers. This was the same effort as 2 "folds"  but less fuel has been used, and less metal lost to forge scale to get the layer count up also.

 

I see.  Thanks for the info.

 

Any way you cut it, 90 layers seems like LOT of labor on the part of the knifemaker.

[Steve Sells]

not really,  most my blades are closer to 300 layers, ( add one more draw an reweld to the above explanations of 90 basically) and some are as high as 600, which is again just one more single "fold"  It is a labour of love of the end result.

[Dodge]

Wicked little poker :) I like it a lot!

I actually prefer a low layer count (60 - 100) I think it displays the differences in the metals better. High layer counts have there place, mind you; they  work nice with larger and exotic patterning and composites.

 

Just my opinion. -_-

Scott

[Dodge]

I see.  Thanks for the info.

 

Any way you cut it, 90 layers seems like LOT of labor on the part of the knifemaker.

A lot depends on the starting material. I have worked with banding and band saw which is about .06" thick so you want to start with more layers. I started with 21 layers. Welded and drew out and cut in 3 and welded a second time. So with only 2 welds, it yielded 63 layers. One more cut and re-stack in 3 pieces would have yielded 189. It adds up exponentially. I'm getting ready to do a billet with 33 layers to start. Using the same method I could have nearly 300 layers in 3 welds

[kayakersteve]

Thanks for comments - I have done both high layer counts (250ish) and lower layers and I prefer the definition of lower counts

[Shewcrafter00]

Nice little knife :)  The handle goes really well with the blade pattern.  I love damascus, but then again who doesn't? :D