Looks good Bruce! Could be the difference in temp or just the difference in the steel itself. I use Alabama Damascus 98% of the time and it always takes a good etch.well, I used your formula. Didn't get as dark. Probably because it was cold ( about 55*)) but the chatoyance it developed is spectacular. Never seen one glow like this! so, thanks Randy.View attachment 78421View attachment 78422
Thank you sir!@Randy Lucius @Bruce McLeish: Simply outstanding, gentlemen. Great work.
this is alabama damascus so it must be either temp or prep. just have to buy more, i guess and try again, although I am not displeased with this.Looks good Bruce! Could be the difference in temp or just the difference in the steel itself. I use Alabama Damascus 98% of the time and it always takes a good etch.
Thanks, Ken. Lotsa components. Complex mixture for trying to predict etching.I couldn't find it anywhere on Alabama Damascus website either - seems like once upon a time I did find it there along with HT'ing info, but it's not with HT'ing info now.
"Alabama Damascus Steel presents knives that are made with Damascus steel blade. These knives consists 3 layers of 52100, 4 layers of 5160, 3 layers of 203E, and 3 layers of 15N2o. The combination is forged and folded 5 times to create another 416 layers."
From website: https://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/manufacturer/1586/alabama-damascus-steel-knives.html#:~:text=In order to meet the,to create another 416 layers.
I buy from him a lot on Facebook. Some billets I buy are 4 inches wide and 18 inches long. I can get four knives out of them. His prices are a little cheaper on Facebook. Lacy Smith is a really good guy to do business with. Got to visit a little while with him at Bladeshow this year.So, i'm guessing you guys are buying billets and then profiling/grinding, etc.?
I was browsing their site and the billets are generally 16" (ish), so are you getting 2 knives from a billet? Feel free to correct or add anything I'm missing.
Even though I make my own Damascus I bought $20 worth of drops from him at Blade and I managed to get five knives out of them. Cannot beat the price. Plus I will use my cutoffs in a can later on. If you guys do not use your cutoffs feel free to mail them to me, I will pay postage lol.I buy from him a lot on Facebook. Some billets I buy are 4 inches wide and 18 inches long. I can get four knives out of them. His prices are a little cheaper on Facebook. Lacy Smith is a really good guy to do business with. Got to visit a little while with him at Bladeshow this year.
I usually take my scrap pieces and make Christmas gifts for the ladies in our family. See the fish on this piece. Wasn’t planned that way. Just happened.Even though I make my own Damascus I bought $20 worth of drops from him at Blade and I managed to get five knives out of them. Cannot beat the price. Plus I will use my cutoffs in a can later on. If you guys do not use your cutoffs feel free to mail them to me, I will pay postage lol.
i buy from him on ebay. be aware, there is an outfit calling themselves "alabama damascus" but its not. Our guy is located in Jacksonville, Alabama. this other oufit is vice cutlery located in wellington alabama.I buy from him a lot on Facebook. Some billets I buy are 4 inches wide and 18 inches long. I can get four knives out of them. His prices are a little cheaper on Facebook. Lacy Smith is a really good guy to do business with. Got to visit a little while with him at Bladeshow this year.
Even though I make my own Damascus I bought $20 worth of drops from him at Blade and I managed to get five knives out of them. Cannot beat the price. Plus I will use my cutoffs in a can later on. If you guys do not use your cutoffs feel free to mail them to me, I will pay postage lol.