Subject: Damascus/pattern-welded steel

From: Will Ezell <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 04 Apr 1996 01:40:59 -0600

Just wanted to thank Bill, Raymond, and Frosty for the advise.  I should know by 
tomorrow if it is fixable.  With 13 layers it is no great loss if it doesn't 
work, but it would be great to know for later when working on a 400+ layered
piece and the same thing happens again...
	I might just try the filler plug, happen to have some 1/2 inch 5160,
And it would look unusual.
	Thanks again,
		George Ezell
(make ram's heads out of mild steel, not O-1.)

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From: "[email-masked] x5707" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 04 Apr 1996 07:35:01 -0800 (PST)

Hi all,

I just finished reading Hrisoulas' book on pattern welded blades last night.

(forgive me if I've misspelled his name, I have enough trouble with mine!)

I just thought I'd pass along my impressions:

It was great.  The author cuts through the mystery of making "Damascus" with
sound technical information and practical step-by-step procedures.  He explains
how to create all of the "standard" patterns and gives techniques for many
advanced patterns too.  It is an easy read and nicely written, you get the
feeling that the author really loves doing what he's writing about and gets a
lot of fullfillment from practicing it.

Just a couple of ideas from the book that I found interesting & helpful:

One technique he talks about was using pure nickel in the billet - it gives a
very high contrast to the pattern.  Another idea is to start with a billet of
THIN sheets of metal to forge the initial billet.  More initial layers = less
welding.  He talks about using shim stock for the layers.

on cable damascus:  untwist the cable and clean it (I am assuming he means only
the major strands!) with solvent and a wire brush to remove all traces of dirt
and grease.  When re-assembling the cable he winds every other outside major
strand with a pure nickel wire to enhance the pattern.  I am going to try one
this tonight!

Just my $2 (adjusted for inflation)

Joe McGlynn

PS: I got mine from Lindsey, Norm Larson probably carries it too.  Check the
suppliers list at artmetal...