Subject: Damascus/pattern-welded steel

From: Will Ezell <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 09:18:22 -0600

Hey guys,
	I've got a problem.  I've been experimenting with damascus steel and general forge-welding,
and though I have no power hammer I've been seeing what I can do without it.  I've been having
pretty good luck on small pieces, but something happened last night I've never seen.  
	The billet consists of seven layers of O-1 and six layers of L-6.  It is about 1" wide by
4" long.  The first welding heat worked great, the billet seemed to weld together fine.  I put it 
through a second welding heat and then the problem started.  
	The last layer in the stack has a small 'bubble' or blister where it is not welded.  Four
welding heats did not change this.  How do I fix this without grinding off the offending layer, or 
is this my only option?
	I think the problem may be flux, slag, or scale trapped between the layers.
	Any suggestions or comments?  Anyone out there making damascus without the use of power
hammers, presses, or strikers?
	
	Thanks,
	  George Ezell (good knives are supposed to rust!)

---

From: [email-masked] (Jerry Frost)
Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 15:33:12 -0900

>           George Ezell (good knives are supposed to rust!)

Bummer, George:

You might try drilling the offending inclusions out and welding in a 
filler plug to replace the lost material. Of course this may make an 
interesting spot in the pattern but beats throwing out the billet and 
starting over.

Good luck,
	Frosty
-- 
If it ain't forged
It ain't real
wrought iron is
The FROSTWORKS

---

From: George Ezell <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 12:02:33 -0500

>           George Ezell (good knives are supposed to rust!)

I figured I tell you I finally finished that darned knife last night.  I
drilled into the bubble/blister, brought her up to welding heat and that
was that.  Ended up with 52 layers and an onryx horn handle.
	Took me long enough...
		George

---

From: "[email-masked] 415.855.5707" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 10:25:46 -0800 (PST)

Cool, congratulations on a successful knife.

Where did you get the L6?  I am looking for a source of L6 flat stock and
haven't found any yet.

I tried Crucible, and Pacific Machine and Tool Steel.

Joe McGlynn

---

From: George Ezell <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 17:32:35 -0500

> I tried Crucible, and Pacific Machine and Tool Steel.

I know of one source...Darrel Ralph has some that is a bit different. 
It has 2% nickel, and offered to sell me some a few weeks ago.  I have a
few sections of bandsaw blade I bought at Tannehill last year, can't
remember the guy's name who was selling it...
This is what Darrel sent me.
>    
>         George,
>              I stack my billets 20 hi . The size is 1.5 x6 20 hi about 1.75.
>         I use 1075 x.137 thick as my carbon. The price is 50.00 plus shipping
>         a stack ready to go (except scraching the faces). IF your interested
> in quanity
>         It runs about 3.50 a pound plus shipping. 100 pound min.
> 
> 
>          Darrel
> 
> 
I'll send him word you're interested if you want.
I've been told, but have yet to check, that Carpenter has it...I seem to
have lost my bookmark!
Ah, here is their address:Carpenter Technology Corp.
                          P.O. Box 14662
                          101 West Bern Street
                          Reading, Pennsylvania
19612-4662                                        General Switchboard
(610) 208-2000
and their homepage:  http://www.cartech.com/
 
Maybe some one with the AFC knows who it was selling the stuff?
	Been sending alot of mail today....
		George

---

From: "[email-masked] 415.855.5707" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 16:04:12 -0800 (PST)

Thanks George.  I sent Darryl a check for a billet to try.

Anyone interested in going in thirds or quarters on 100 pounds?  I could use 25
pounds myself, 100 would be way, way too much.

I've also tried Carpenter, no luck.  I suppose Crucible could make it up, but
they would have some minimum order too.

Joe McGlynn