Sir, thanks for putting these videos together- One of the best but often most overlooked function of the internet is passing along knowledge, instructing, teaching, experiments. I have worked here in Silicon Valley for almost 2 decades primarily in ecommerce development- I used to work with the founders of youtube before they created youtube and it is comforting to know that masters of a trade or art form are on youtube and other sites passing along knowledge. In my mind this activity is the most valuable trait of this global platform. Anyhow, I am in awe of your work and abilities. I have always wanted to make knives but with long work days and a lot of travel around the world (I investigate cybercrime) I don't have time but it sure is nice to watch you and others create amazing things.
good morning , wanted to know how 420MoV forge welding stainless steel and carbon steel SAE1095 . From already thank you very much. Best regards from Argentina .
Hi Mr Sorrells, I found this video very informative especially as I am thinking about my first Damascus knife. I do have a question though, after the final forge weld of the layers, when you drew out the billet did you turn the stack 90 degrees so that the billet is drawn out with the lines between the layers facing the dies, or do you draw it out the same way you forge welded the stack and then grind through the layers to expose the pattern? I'm just not clear on which side gets drawn out.
Why is it that the guys who've never lifted a hammer in their lives are ALWAYS the ones who feel it necessary to try to "educate" everyone else (even experienced blacksmiths) about pattern welded steel "not really being Damascus". Don't you think they know that? It's just an accepted label these days, as it's not like they're competing with actual newly-produced Damascus steel. For God's sakes, go back to your Call of Duty and shut the hell up.
Well said. On every Damascus video someone posts that know-it-all comment. Sorry guys, but as with all words in all languages, usage is the final arbiter. If people USE a word to mean something, that's what it means. Every word you say today used to mean something else, or nothing at all. They are all as wrong as "Damascus". IE : Not wrong at all. If Call of duty is too strenuous, I recommend something with "Hello kitty" in the title
domino2205 Sounds like you're pissed cause he described you perfectly. You're that guy, aren't you. I bet if I Google searched your username, Id see that you've posted that BS wootz comment that he's referring to on a whole bunch of videos.
Heuzier Daddee Why is it that the guys who've never lifted a hammer in their lives are ALWAYS the ones who feel it necessary to try to "educate" everyone else (even experienced blacksmiths) about pattern welded steel "not really being Damascus". Short answer....because they're idiots.
You said you make 9 marks for your 1095 steel, but there are only 8 marks on the 1095 steel in this video. Does it matter, of course not. :) Having said that, and more importantly, I love your style of narrating. Great video, and great philosophy!
Anything Modern to help you Isn’t making anything original Or better words The Japanese didn’t make their swords with hydraulic presses They did it threw labor
I tend to work mild steel by hand then turn it to high carbon by baking it in clay for an hour in my forge with a bunch of charcoal dust packed in tight around the blade (about 1/2 inch of dust per 1/8 inch of blade, for 55-70 minutes) I cant imagine the effort it would take to even attempt decent Damascus without at least 2 other people whom know at least the basics of hitting hot iron.
memegusta Impossible to say since it's a lost art! But don't get me wrong for all we know your method could be even more effective! I work with steel and would love to create this! I was merely agreeing with a known fact! I love what they are doing hence why I watched the video! Peace.
***** Damascus is the capital and the second largest city of Syria. Damascus steel was a type of steel used in Middle Eastern sword making. These swords are characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. Such blades were reputed to be tough, resistant to shattering and capable of being honed to a sharp, resilient edge. The origin of the term Damascus steel is somewhat uncertain, it may either refer to swords made or sold in Damascus directly, or it may just refer to the aspect of the typical patterns, by comparison with Damask fabrics. Production of these patterned swords gradually declined, ceasing by around 1750, and the process was lost to metal smiths. Several modern theories have ventured to explain this decline, including the breakdown of trade routes to supply the needed metals, the lack of trace impurities in the metals, the possible loss of knowledge on the crafting techniques through secrecy and lack of transmission, or a combination of all the above. (wiki) Nothing to do with Japan.
Well looks like I need to get me a piece of “power squashing equipment” I had me 3 bare chested, sweaty, young apprentices just a swinging those 20lbs hammers away, but these girls just keep running away.
Lord have mercy. I've never blacksmithed anything. Just found this video by accident. It's fascinating but I didn't realize it required so much equipment.
+ElGatoLoco698 Well hundreds of years ago, blacksmiths only had a furnace,hammer,anvil, files and some dyes oh and a tone of elbow grease. So if they can manage with just that much so can we.
Hey Watler, could you make a video on tips for the beginning knifemaker? Covering materials such as what tools to buy first, first projects to try, good steels for beginners, etc.? Thanks!
I am not trying to be one of those guys that critiques all the videos but I wanted to mention something for the more budget conscious makers watching this video. Sodium tetraborate (borax) is extremely hygroscopic. This means it very much wants to absorb water from the atmosphere which makes it not anhydrous anymore. So depending on storage anhydrous borax will become hydrated quickly causing the issues he noted with hydrated borax in the video. So unless you have a way to store it in a dry atmosphere like using argon to purge the room air from the container it is going to be the same to just buy the 20 mules borax from Walmart. You will quickly lose the benefit of buying the more expensive anhydrous borax anyway as it absorbs water from humidity in the air. Great videos though. I have learned a lot and always enjoy the high quality of your videos. Some knife making videos on youtube tend to be lower quality. I can tell you take the quality and professionalism of your videos very seriously.
For small knifes you can easily forge weld the billets by hand. Just make the billet large enough for one knife. something like one inch by one inch and 2 to 4 inches long can be made by hand. Ofcourse if you want to do this regularly, sooner or later you will need a power hammer.
Yup! I think "regularly" is the name of the game here. For those of us who want to makes something in our back yard, and try it without the fancy setup, forge welding is the way to go though.
Hi Walter, I just wanted to thank you for the video's and sharing your vast knowledge with us. I am starting out a rookie and basically trying to learn the process and terminology before I actually get started. I have already built my primitive shop and will be ready as soon as I get some coal the first of the month. Once again, thanks..
that process seems like the same process jewelers use called Mokume Gane.... I haven't tried it yet, but thanks for sharing ...very interesting subject!
banding straps - very thin, 1075. Bi-metalic band saw blades - 15n20. a 20 layer stack is about 1.5 in thick. damascus is very doable with a hand hammer
Thanks for sharing your expertise with your professional videos. I an considering getting into Damascus. My question is what is the minimum size needed for a forging press? Is 15 tons sufficient? Can you suggest a manufacturer of a press? THANKS!!
Since you mentioned ratios then may i suggest a beautiful one. Try working with the ratio 1:1.62, also known as the "ratio of beauty", the "Golden ratio" or simply Phi.
This video is excellent. Thank you! The video is informative, thorough, easy to watch and understand and holds your attention. Not everyone and even most people out there can't teach much less make a decent video. 5 stars! LOL
Thats not actually true Damacus (wootz) steel it is actually what is called "Patern Welded Steel". In true damascus the distinctive lines in the steel is from the crystals formed in the steel from low oxygen and slow cooling, and true damascus steel is very high carbon like between 1to 2 percent. It's an interesting subject to lookup. Richard
If I may ask a question....does a higher layer count add to the strength and "toughness" of the steel, or does it only affect the pattern after etching? Also, could you possibly do a video about creating the "Crushed W's" damascus pattern? As a person who has NEVER struck hot metal, I find your tutorials incredibly easy to understand, and I thank you for your time, and effort in educating those interested in making cool stuff!
Walter, thanks for being a humble down to earth bladesmith. There are so many out there that don't have time for a "lamen." Or their cult follower apprentices shoo you away and say that "Murray doesn't answer questions on Tuesdays"...Huh? I am an amateur knifemaker and I have progressed alot by learning from smiths that are humble, patient and willing to teach me something. UA-cam has been the vehicle for so many to learn this great art and I appreciate the tone you set in your videos. Subscribed...thanks again.
hi, Walter, very informative video, i got a lot from it, you answered a lot of questions, and took the time to share all aspects of the work, thank you very much. i have subscribed, and I'm now off to watch all you have on U tube, cheers, and a merry Christmass from Scotland.
What if I told you, nobody knows how to make Damascus Steel. People just assume that this is how they are made, but the truth is Damascus Steel is extinct and nobody knows how Damascus Steel are made.
Glad you said 'modern' Damascus steel, because if I remember correctly, the original was used with metal from a cosmic object which fell to earth and forged with earth materials? IF I remember correctly.
the cool design on Damascus Steel knives, how is that formed? from the layers? because I see knives that say 100 layers 60 layers but they have the same amount of lines on the design.
just getting into blacksmithing as a hobby I'm a disabled veteran USMC trying to learn Damascus this video is great could you send me a link to get flux that needed any info will help
I really want to take up blacksmithing as a bit of a hobby. I'd love to make damascus steel cutlery and a hunting knife. perhaps I could try making damascus steel with layers numbering in the millions.
What are legalities of selling and shipping knifes? Can you get sued if one of your knifes break? I am becoming a hobbiest and would love to sell some knifes I make, I just don't know if I can just sell them on etsy for example without having any issues
The real recapie for damascus steel was lost in the 1800's and is still unreplecateable today nice wanna be knife tho I would not call it "damascus" steel.All people do know is it is done with nano technology bonding at a molecular level by adding chemicals during the forging process definately not just some grocery store flux.
Where's part two, Walter? My uni's forge is closed for rennovations until December, but I hear they're gonna get a forging press and a gas forge, so I can finally benefit from your awesome video series and stop trying to bang out billets with my puny arms and a hand hammer.
if I were you I wouldn't use cheap flux core wire to weld your billets together. this is where your getting a bunch of crap metal in your forgings. now I understand you cut those ends off. but I would suggest getting a small bottle of c25 gas and running er70s-6 wire. much cleaner welds and stronger steel so you won't need to worry so much about cutting those off. keep up the great work man I love this channel!
Hello Walter, so I've been through a bunch of your videos and I still find myself with a lot of questions. for instance I'd love to make Damascus steel for myself but I'm not exactly sure what 2 types of steel I should use for the blade, I want the blade to be impact resistant and hold an edge well, along with being tough which steels would you recommend? I also plan to fold the steel a LOT of times would that make any difference? or should I also do differential hardening to make the blade more impact resistant?. Or am I off with the steels should I just use the types you used in this video and it'd depend on my heat treat and the geometry of the blade to determine what my blade can be used for?, I also don't believe my forge can get to that amount of heat as I have a homemade forge kind of like the one you had in the making a machete with no power tools video.
real damascus steal was made by using the same iron througout the blade folding it with organic carbon based matter inbetween the layers like grass and leafs ect, nobody acully knows exactly how it was made but they have proof that the genuine damascus blades contains carbon nano tubes wich could only be created in this mannor. real japanese "damascus" is made by tamahagane sorted and forged into 2 billets, one soft and one hard(hagane). the core of the blade is made of soft folded steel and the outer shell is made out of harder Hagane steel...also folded. the pattern on a japanese sward is only visible if you look closely.
Really good and informative video, love it. What I'm wondering is that I've sometimes seen when people making swords that that they split the thin side of the billet so it forms a Y then add another smaller billet inside and forge weld them. I'm guessing its for making the blade sharper, but how does it work? What's the difference in steel etc. also the use some kind of paste when tempering. Have no idea how it all works and it would be nice if you could make a video about it :)
Damascus steel no longer exist, all you can make or find is cosmetic looking. The Middle East and Indian blade makers transfer the knowledge by generations. The composition of the legendary steel never was reveled,. Back in time the Damascus steel was better than any other European steel, many smiths tortured to dead but the "recipe" died with the crafters, probably some families in India or Middle East still teaching the art as a tradition but after the guns creation blades moved down to second place and the Damascus steel secrets remain in a mystery. Modern sales of "Damascus Steel" are fake and some are just acid treated surfaces. Modern science can scan a piece of metal and know the exact composition but how the metal was mix, melted time, forged, forged temperature and tempered remain in a mystery. So any modern Damascus in just a reproduction no even close to the legendary steel.
Hello thanks for video, how to unite the plates of ex-plane exhaust and a hundreds electrik guitar string waste made from nikle and leaf spring or bearing how to joined that layer by forge???
Here's the main question that I want answered: What is the difference between using a Hada technique and forging Damascus? I know that both focus on creating layers in the blade, but does one only use steel while the other uses a combination of steel and another metal (like iron), or is it some other fact that makes the two techniques completely different from each other?
To obtain the typical nanotube matrix of Damascus steel. Do you recommend to use fullerene dust, or the traditional method of alloy the steel with microalloying catalysts?
somehow i feel like making this material results in thin capes of graphene (hexagonal atomic former carbon) inside the steel blade. those graphene layers make the blade so sharp. Damascus was probably the first graphene made ever.
This is not Damascus steel! Just go look it up at Wikipedia, but the short version is that this is a technique called pattern welding as he stated, but the Damascus steel is made with woody biomass and leaves to create nanowires and carbon nanotubes, making the blade a lot tougher. Still this is a very educational and good video and I definitely will watch more of walker's work
I wear Harbor Freight Welding gloves for everything in my shop. They are nice thick leather, and are particularly handy at a grinder. Not only do I not remove flesh, but I can grind longer as I am also protected from the heat. The gloves are cheap, but do have to sit out in an open area for about 6 months as they come almost directly from the tannery (smells like rotten potatoes), and then you want to curl the fingers on them and press them when you are not in the shop so they conform to your hand. I know it's work, but you have a really nice glove when you are done.
¿Why do not you spread the borax with a strainer ,? That way the powder will place in the whole piece , not only in spots. Thanks nice , clear and neat explanation.
Just out of curiosity, is it possible to create different color pattern with damascus or is it always gonna be that monochromatic scheme? Also, do you make armour?
Awesome vid, just wondering is what you see on the finish product ( the cool wavy design) is that just an outer skin, would that disappear if you were to shave a face or an edge down?
Best way to remove the scale, is to sink metal into vinegar over night and then wash it with water and rub with scotch pad, steel brush or what ever you have in hand. You can remove zink coatings with this methods as well btw.
Sir, thanks for putting these videos together- One of the best but often most overlooked function of the internet is passing along knowledge, instructing, teaching, experiments. I have worked here in Silicon Valley for almost 2 decades primarily in ecommerce development- I used to work with the founders of youtube before they created youtube and it is comforting to know that masters of a trade or art form are on youtube and other sites passing along knowledge. In my mind this activity is the most valuable trait of this global platform. Anyhow, I am in awe of your work and abilities. I have always wanted to make knives but with long work days and a lot of travel around the world (I investigate cybercrime) I don't have time but it sure is nice to watch you and others create amazing things.
thank you for differentiating between damascus and pattern welded steel. i'm surprised how many people don't know the difference.
So i'm not actually a smith but love watching these types of videos. I just wanted to say yours are excellent and very clear.
That was an awesome video! (All your videos are.) But is there a part 2?
Awesome video, awesome instructions!
great videos sir.well detailed explanation.keep it up sir!
good morning , wanted to know how 420MoV forge welding stainless steel and carbon steel SAE1095 . From already thank you very much. Best regards from Argentina .
Hi Mr Sorrells, I found this video very informative especially as I am thinking about my first Damascus knife. I do have a question though, after the final forge weld of the layers, when you drew out the billet did you turn the stack 90 degrees so that the billet is drawn out with the lines between the layers facing the dies, or do you draw it out the same way you forge welded the stack and then grind through the layers to expose the pattern? I'm just not clear on which side gets drawn out.
How much harder would it be to make a small billet of damascus in a charcoal forge?
how valuable are the pattern welded knives
Coolest guy on youtube!
kicking the dog seems a touch mean
Yeah, I never make mistakes either. These are actually birthmarks on my hands, and definitely not scars!
didn't know George bush was into forging
+YoungFree213 Nice. :)
ThisIsG 😂
I was thinking more like Steve jobs xD
It really does feel like I'm watching dubbya.
😂😂😂😂
Why is it that the guys who've never lifted a hammer in their lives are ALWAYS the ones who feel it necessary to try to "educate" everyone else (even experienced blacksmiths) about pattern welded steel "not really being Damascus". Don't you think they know that? It's just an accepted label these days, as it's not like they're competing with actual newly-produced Damascus steel. For God's sakes, go back to your Call of Duty and shut the hell up.
maybe its you that should go back to call of duty but your here cause you lose to much
Well said. On every Damascus video someone posts that know-it-all comment. Sorry guys, but as with all words in all languages, usage is the final arbiter. If people USE a word to mean something, that's what it means. Every word you say today used to mean something else, or nothing at all. They are all as wrong as "Damascus". IE : Not wrong at all. If Call of duty is too strenuous, I recommend something with "Hello kitty" in the title
domino2205 Sounds like you're pissed cause he described you perfectly. You're that guy, aren't you. I bet if I Google searched your username, Id see that you've posted that BS wootz comment that he's referring to on a whole bunch of videos.
Well said sir! Happy hammering!
Heuzier Daddee Why is it that the guys who've never lifted a hammer in their lives are ALWAYS the ones who feel it necessary to try to "educate" everyone else (even experienced blacksmiths) about pattern welded steel "not really being Damascus". Short answer....because they're idiots.
He completely changed the order of "Wh" words and just reverses the w and h
If I make a Damascus steel blade, I'm going to call it 'The Onion,' because onions have layers.
someone has beat you to it
Capt Ron WHAT?! Who?! I DEMAND TO KNOW WHO!
Ken Onion, knife maker for one !! google him, he makes some pretty cool stuff
I'm gonna call mine 'Reaper'
Onions?! Why not just call it an Ogre???
You said you make 9 marks for your 1095 steel, but there are only 8 marks on the 1095 steel in this video. Does it matter, of course not. :) Having said that, and more importantly, I love your style of narrating. Great video, and great philosophy!
Shane Garrett Just checking to see who's paying attention. Seriously, though, thanks for the comments!
Great video! Finally someone did a Damascus video and actually told what steel to use! BTW, has part 2 been uploaded yet?
Cool whip
It's verbal terrorism.
Really dude u bringing pc into this🙄🙄🙄🙄😑😑
and so where pray tell is part 2?
My wife can't believe I watch these vids all the way through; I tell her, "Me like Fi-yuh."
Lol wut?
Cleveland Brown I know right!
I love the No-Nonsense approach and informal manner. What an amazing amount of information to digest! Thanks!
This guy looks like a solid republican!
+Kaust Shroff Irrelevant. He's a fantastic swordsmith. Oh .. and fuck you.
+Kaust Shroff How'd you deduce that?
+Kaust Shroff l tought he's skills are important not who he is (i don't care who he is anyways) I'm here to get some knowledge from he's experiance.
+Walter Sorrells lol
+Kaust Shroff
He's obviously a liberal democrat, look at which hand he wears his wedding ring on.
where is the part 2 of this video?
This guy sounds like Rick Grimes... apart from the hWhats
This is what we do Carl...
+Chillmanits Sten I thought he sounded a little like Jack Nicholson
Chillmanits Sten
CaRl
Chillmanits Sten iiphim
Not really
"then you go cry a little and kick dog"😂😂💀
Anything
Modern to help you
Isn’t making anything original
Or better words
The Japanese didn’t make their swords with hydraulic presses
They did it threw labor
I tend to work mild steel by hand then turn it to high carbon by baking it in clay for an hour in my forge with a bunch of charcoal dust packed in tight around the blade (about 1/2 inch of dust per 1/8 inch of blade, for 55-70 minutes) I cant imagine the effort it would take to even attempt decent Damascus without at least 2 other people whom know at least the basics of hitting hot iron.
I could have sworn Damascus steel was lost ages ago...
You are right it is a lost art!
The original method is unknown!
Max Power does our method give the same results?
memegusta
Impossible to say since it's a lost art! But don't get me wrong for all we know your method could be even more effective! I work with steel and would love to create this! I was merely agreeing with a known fact! I love what they are doing hence why I watched the video! Peace.
*****
Key word there is *Japanese*. What's Japan got to do with Damascus?
***** Damascus is the capital and the second largest city of Syria.
Damascus steel was a type of steel used in Middle Eastern sword making. These swords are characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. Such blades were reputed to be tough, resistant to shattering and capable of being honed to a sharp, resilient edge.
The origin of the term Damascus steel is somewhat uncertain, it may either refer to swords made or sold in Damascus directly, or it may just refer to the aspect of the typical patterns, by comparison with Damask fabrics.
Production of these patterned swords gradually declined, ceasing by around 1750, and the process was lost to metal smiths. Several modern theories have ventured to explain this decline, including the breakdown of trade routes to supply the needed metals, the lack of trace impurities in the metals, the possible loss of knowledge on the crafting techniques through secrecy and lack of transmission, or a combination of all the above. (wiki)
Nothing to do with Japan.
Well looks like I need to get me a piece of “power squashing equipment” I had me 3 bare chested, sweaty, young apprentices just a swinging those 20lbs hammers away, but these girls just keep running away.
hhwhite
The way you say it reminds me stewie from family guy and his "coolhwhip".
Great video btw :)
I appreciate a craftsman who goes the extra mile to make a clean, high quality product. good job Walter, You get an A+ in my book.
Lord have mercy. I've never blacksmithed anything. Just found this video by accident. It's fascinating but I didn't realize it required so much equipment.
It doesn't take that much
+ElGatoLoco698 Well hundreds of years ago, blacksmiths only had a furnace,hammer,anvil, files and some dyes oh and a tone of elbow grease. So if they can manage with just that much so can we.
When does part 2 come out.
Hey Watler, could you make a video on tips for the beginning knifemaker? Covering materials such as what tools to buy first, first projects to try, good steels for beginners, etc.? Thanks!
+XxDetriment xX Poke around on my channel and you'll find videos already made on pretty much all these subjects!
you'll need much more than just knives gaara
XxDetriment xX there is also a book called $50 dollar knife shop to check out.
and other thing why you not make a paid tutorial videos for blacksmith in general on udemy im interested in what you doing
I am not trying to be one of those guys that critiques all the videos but I wanted to mention something for the more budget conscious makers watching this video. Sodium tetraborate (borax) is extremely hygroscopic. This means it very much wants to absorb water from the atmosphere which makes it not anhydrous anymore. So depending on storage anhydrous borax will become hydrated quickly causing the issues he noted with hydrated borax in the video. So unless you have a way to store it in a dry atmosphere like using argon to purge the room air from the container it is going to be the same to just buy the 20 mules borax from Walmart. You will quickly lose the benefit of buying the more expensive anhydrous borax anyway as it absorbs water from humidity in the air.
Great videos though. I have learned a lot and always enjoy the high quality of your videos. Some knife making videos on youtube tend to be lower quality. I can tell you take the quality and professionalism of your videos very seriously.
Interesting and impressive.
Have a great Christmas.
Sandy
Can't wait for part 2. Awesome video. Well done!
hwite :^)
+Tudor Ionel What?
William Stanton he says "hwite" not "white". it reminds me of stewie from family guy
For small knifes you can easily forge weld the billets by hand. Just make the billet large enough for one knife. something like one inch by one inch and 2 to 4 inches long can be made by hand.
Ofcourse if you want to do this regularly, sooner or later you will need a power hammer.
Yup! I think "regularly" is the name of the game here. For those of us who want to makes something in our back yard, and try it without the fancy setup, forge welding is the way to go though.
damascus steel and pattern welded steel are two different things
+ no shit
Hi Walter, I just wanted to thank you for the video's and sharing your vast knowledge with us. I am starting out a rookie and basically trying to learn the process and terminology before I actually get started. I have already built my primitive shop and will be ready as soon as I get some coal the first of the month. Once again, thanks..
im jsut gonna test doing damascus steel this summer but only got normal hammer. so im gonan give it a shot, wish me luck
Hey man. Has the pattern development video been released?
Probably going to be a few months...
Walter sorrels, can a japanese damascus forging technique apply on Latin Machete
in addition of your nice job you got such charming voice
How much where you able to sell this on opskins
Depends if it is StatTrak or not xD
Awesome video...Words out of a mouth which knows A to Z of steel making...thanks a lot for uploading...
If you want REAL Damascus Steel you must.... just kidding this seems like an excellent method of making it :)
that process seems like the same process jewelers use called Mokume Gane.... I haven't tried it yet, but thanks for sharing ...very interesting subject!
banding straps - very thin, 1075. Bi-metalic band saw blades - 15n20. a 20 layer stack is about 1.5 in thick. damascus is very doable with a hand hammer
Thanks for sharing your expertise with your professional videos. I an considering getting into Damascus. My question is what is the minimum size needed for a forging press? Is 15 tons sufficient? Can you suggest a manufacturer of a press? THANKS!!
Since you mentioned ratios then may i suggest a beautiful one.
Try working with the ratio 1:1.62, also known as the "ratio of beauty", the "Golden ratio" or simply Phi.
This video is excellent. Thank you! The video is informative, thorough, easy to watch and understand and holds your attention. Not everyone and even most people out there can't teach much less make a decent video. 5 stars! LOL
Thats not actually true Damacus (wootz) steel it is actually what is called "Patern Welded Steel". In true damascus the distinctive lines in the steel is from the crystals formed in the steel from low oxygen and slow cooling, and true damascus steel is very high carbon like between 1to 2 percent.
It's an interesting subject to lookup.
Richard
Hey Walter, that's a very instructive video, good and clear. That's a lot of work. Thanks, and I'll be back to watch more.
If I may ask a question....does a higher layer count add to the strength and "toughness" of the steel, or does it only affect the pattern after etching? Also, could you possibly do a video about creating the "Crushed W's" damascus pattern?
As a person who has NEVER struck hot metal, I find your tutorials incredibly easy to understand, and I thank you for your time, and effort in educating those interested in making cool stuff!
Walter, thanks for being a humble down to earth bladesmith. There are so many out there that don't have time for a "lamen." Or their cult follower apprentices shoo you away and say that "Murray doesn't answer questions on Tuesdays"...Huh? I am an amateur knifemaker and I have progressed alot by learning from smiths that are humble, patient and willing to teach me something. UA-cam has been the vehicle for so many to learn this great art and I appreciate the tone you set in your videos. Subscribed...thanks again.
hi, Walter, very informative video, i got a lot from it, you answered a lot of questions, and took the time to share all aspects of the work, thank you very much. i have subscribed, and I'm now off to watch all you have on U tube, cheers, and a merry Christmass from Scotland.
What if I told you, nobody knows how to make Damascus Steel. People just assume that this is how they are made, but the truth is Damascus Steel is extinct and nobody knows how Damascus Steel are made.
Where’s part 2? Or was that a joke like Mel Brooks"History of the World P1", and you didn’t make a part 2.
Glad you said 'modern' Damascus steel, because if I remember correctly, the original was used with metal from a cosmic object which fell to earth and forged with earth materials? IF I remember correctly.
the cool design on Damascus Steel knives, how is that formed? from the layers? because I see knives that say 100 layers 60 layers but they have the same amount of lines on the design.
just getting into blacksmithing as a hobby I'm a disabled veteran USMC trying to learn Damascus this video is great could you send me a link to get flux that needed any info will help
I really want to take up blacksmithing as a bit of a hobby. I'd love to make damascus steel cutlery and a hunting knife. perhaps I could try making damascus steel with layers numbering in the millions.
Had this playing in the background and I thought for sure it was Lt. Aldo Raine from inglourious basterds
What are legalities of selling and shipping knifes? Can you get sued if one of your knifes break?
I am becoming a hobbiest and would love to sell some knifes I make, I just don't know if I can just sell them on etsy for example without having any issues
The real recapie for damascus steel was lost in the 1800's and is still unreplecateable today nice wanna be knife tho I would not call it "damascus" steel.All people do know is it is done with nano technology bonding at a molecular level by adding chemicals during the forging process definately not just some grocery store flux.
Where's part two, Walter? My uni's forge is closed for rennovations until December, but I hear they're gonna get a forging press and a gas forge, so I can finally benefit from your awesome video series and stop trying to bang out billets with my puny arms and a hand hammer.
Why not 1 and 2 magic marker marks? I know you've said it's your thing but, damn, that's a massive waste of a magic marker.
if I were you I wouldn't use cheap flux core wire to weld your billets together. this is where your getting a bunch of crap metal in your forgings. now I understand you cut those ends off. but I would suggest getting a small bottle of c25 gas and running er70s-6 wire. much cleaner welds and stronger steel so you won't need to worry so much about cutting those off. keep up the great work man I love this channel!
Hello Walter, so I've been through a bunch of your videos and I still find myself with a lot of questions. for instance I'd love to make Damascus steel for myself but I'm not exactly sure what 2 types of steel I should use for the blade, I want the blade to be impact resistant and hold an edge well, along with being tough which steels would you recommend? I also plan to fold the steel a LOT of times would that make any difference? or should I also do differential hardening to make the blade more impact resistant?. Or am I off with the steels should I just use the types you used in this video and it'd depend on my heat treat and the geometry of the blade to determine what my blade can be used for?, I also don't believe my forge can get to that amount of heat as I have a homemade forge kind of like the one you had in the making a machete with no power tools video.
real damascus steal was made by using the same iron througout the blade folding it with organic carbon based matter inbetween the layers like grass and leafs ect, nobody acully knows exactly how it was made but they have proof that the genuine damascus blades contains carbon nano tubes wich could only be created in this mannor.
real japanese "damascus" is made by tamahagane sorted and forged into 2 billets, one soft and one hard(hagane). the core of the blade is made of soft folded steel and the outer shell is made out of harder Hagane steel...also folded. the pattern on a japanese sward is only visible if you look closely.
Really good and informative video, love it. What I'm wondering is that I've sometimes seen when people making swords that that they split the thin side of the billet so it forms a Y then add another smaller billet inside and forge weld them. I'm guessing its for making the blade sharper, but how does it work? What's the difference in steel etc. also the use some kind of paste when tempering. Have no idea how it all works and it would be nice if you could make a video about it :)
Damascus steel no longer exist, all you can make or find is cosmetic looking. The Middle East and Indian blade makers transfer the knowledge by generations. The composition of the legendary steel never was reveled,. Back in time the Damascus steel was better than any other European steel, many smiths tortured to dead but the "recipe" died with the crafters, probably some families in India or Middle East still teaching the art as a tradition but after the guns creation blades moved down to second place and the Damascus steel secrets remain in a mystery.
Modern sales of "Damascus Steel" are fake and some are just acid treated surfaces.
Modern science can scan a piece of metal and know the exact composition but how the metal was mix, melted time, forged, forged temperature and tempered remain in a mystery. So any modern Damascus in just a reproduction no even close to the legendary steel.
Hello thanks for video, how to unite the plates of ex-plane exhaust and a hundreds electrik guitar string waste made from nikle and leaf spring or bearing how to joined that layer by forge???
I'm really impressed by your forging press, no pun intended ;) Did you build it yourself and what kind of system makes it go that fast?
Do anyone know how many tons his press press???
Here's the main question that I want answered: What is the difference between using a Hada technique and forging Damascus? I know that both focus on creating layers in the blade, but does one only use steel while the other uses a combination of steel and another metal (like iron), or is it some other fact that makes the two techniques completely different from each other?
To obtain the typical nanotube matrix of Damascus steel.
Do you recommend to use fullerene dust, or the traditional method of alloy the steel with microalloying catalysts?
somehow i feel like making this material results in thin capes of graphene (hexagonal atomic former carbon) inside the steel blade. those graphene layers make the blade so sharp.
Damascus was probably the first graphene made ever.
The raw material came from Southern India. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel
This is not Damascus steel! Just go look it up at Wikipedia, but the short version is that this is a technique called pattern welding as he stated, but the Damascus steel is made with woody biomass and leaves to create nanowires and carbon nanotubes, making the blade a lot tougher.
Still this is a very educational and good video and I definitely will watch more of walker's work
I wear Harbor Freight Welding gloves for everything in my shop. They are nice thick leather, and are particularly handy at a grinder. Not only do I not remove flesh, but I can grind longer as I am also protected from the heat. The gloves are cheap, but do have to sit out in an open area for about 6 months as they come almost directly from the tannery (smells like rotten potatoes), and then you want to curl the fingers on them and press them when you are not in the shop so they conform to your hand. I know it's work, but you have a really nice glove when you are done.
kick the dog x') cant wait until somebody flags this guy for abusing animals hahahaha,great video though
this type of steel is reminiscent to Valyrian Steel according to the ASOIAF descriptions of it
If you had a tig welder, you could fuse the pieces together and have no issues with mig wire metal contaminating your billet.
¿Why do not you spread the borax with a strainer ,? That way the powder will place in the whole piece , not only in spots. Thanks nice , clear and neat explanation.
At 21:31 u said 2 be a Nazi and said clean,clean, clean. The word nazi doesn't seem to belong here!
Walt give muzzu 30 a try , its a good castable when it comes to flux and you can cast the complete inside of the forge ,, better than k wool
I love knives but don't give 2 shits on how they are made, but I watched this entire video because this guy is entertaining....
I love knives but don't give 2 shits on how they are made, but I watched this entire video because this guy is entertaining....
can you explain how I can make with a coal forge or gas forge that will make the steel hot enough???!! I can't seem to figure it out...
Just out of curiosity, is it possible to create different color pattern with damascus or is it always gonna be that monochromatic scheme? Also, do you make armour?
Thanks Walter you did a great job, and it's easy to undestand and learn how to make damascus. Greetings!
Awesome vid, just wondering is what you see on the finish product ( the cool wavy design) is that just an outer skin, would that disappear if you were to shave a face or an edge down?
Best way to remove the scale, is to sink metal into vinegar over night and then wash it with water and rub with scotch pad, steel brush or what ever you have in hand. You can remove zink coatings with this methods as well btw.
Murphy's law. Metal heated below the point of incandescence looks like cold metall.