first try at damascus

[ausfire]

This is a first go (under supervision) of making a Damascus knife. I never knew there was so much work in the folding and fire welding and drawing out. This is a mix of stainless steel, spring steel, mild, wrought and a slug or two of nickel. I made the handle from a bit of hard old wattle which takes a pretty good shine. I know the brass guard is a little off square. The polish could be better too, but I don't know how to go about that. I was happy with the pattern, but now I wish I had put more shape into the blade. All in all, for a first go, I'm happy ...

 

[Gergely]

You sure can be happy, Aus! This is a real nice and unique pattern especially for a first! Congratulations!

And I don't think you'd needed any other shape in a first try - this is a good looking knife.

Bests:

Gergely

[TheoRockNazz]

That looks great! It's difficult to weld stainless, so kudos for not having any issues with that delaminating.

[HEAP of JEEP]

1 hour ago, TheoRockNazz said:

That looks great! It's difficult to weld stainless, so kudos for not having any issues with that delaminating.

Yeah , that!  With all the damascus I've made, I've never gotten a good weld when using stainless, so very impressed with that aspect alone.

[Daswulf]

That's a great first go Aus! 

[Steve Sells]

much better than my first damascus, Bravo

[fergy]

Wow that is a very bold pattern 

I like it 

[Jspool]

Ditto on being able to weld the stainless. I havent been successful at that yet. Nice looking blade.

[littleblacksmith]

so what steel do yall think the blue pattern in the second picture is from?

                                                                                                       Littleblacksmith

[rhitee93]

Nice work.  Your only mistake was trying it in the first place.  Pattern welding is addictive, and now that you have started, you won't be able to stop.

Cheers!

[The Rusty Forge]

great stuff, can't wait till elevate my skill to be able to do the same