stainless san mai

[Gahagan]

Ok I am venturing out and would like to make some stainless san mai with a Damascus core. I am not sure how to go about this. Is it just like making san mai. or do I have to take any extra steps since I am now integrating stainless into the mix?

 

[Doug Lester]

Yes, it's different and you'll have to find someone who's done the job to get advice from. The chromium and nickel in the stainless steel could block the weld by forming oxides on the surface of the stainless as it is heated. That would require a controlled atmosphere to overcome Then you still would probably have a problem with the expansion characteristics between the steels that could rip the billet apart.

Doug

 

[Gahagan]

I thought it was different as well but this person has a WIP laminating carbon and 304 as well as 1095 and 416. Both he simply welded it together sprayed some wd40 in between and welded it as usual.http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?106085-80CrV2-304-Stainless-laminate-WIP
I still am not sure I want to do a Damascus core and 416 outer layers. I think it would be real neat looking.

 

[Joe Cabaup]

I have seen san mai blades where the outer layers were stainless. I also have seen 1911 slides made out of different stainless steels. It can be done, I've never done it, yet. I'd be interested in learning more about it.