Just out of curiosity. What becomes of blades that ya'll have started, and didn't go according to plan? (pretty much junk for a blade as planned). Do you recycle them, hang them on the "wall of shame", or .... ?

Try different heat treats and test them to destruction!

Oh so you have fun with them.

it is interesting to try new stuff and see how it actually affects a blades usability AND you don't want to be trying new stuff on a blade with a deadline and a customer waiting!

Sometimes I try to remelt or experiment. I like to watch the chemical reaction.

It's not so much having fun as it is experimenting on shapes that are close to desired shape. It's a good way to recover some of the effort you expended making them and profiting for the knowledge. You can always go back to the notebook to look for a technique, material, etc. that worked or failed on a blade shape, size, etc. you wish to try next. 

That's not saying you can't enjoy testing but the benefits are serious.

Frosty The Lucky.

I have a bin with the broken pieces from testing like TP says, also damascus billet cutoffs, pieces too small etc...  

 

I plan on trying my hand at canister damascus with all these random scraps and leftovers.. I'm thinking I will soak everythingin vinegar to get any scale off, take to wire wheel, then just give it a shot?

I don't think i'd  do the vinegar step seeing as you're going to wire brush anyway. Other than that, why not?

Frosty The Lucky.

My boys run off with them.