San mai tips

[Kev]

I have finally succumb to the eventuality that I would need to start forging my own material if I was going to get what I want.
What are the best/easiest 2 materials to forge weld together to make a San mai billet? Also any tips on material thickness to begin with would be helpful.

 

[billyO]

What are the best/easiest 2 materials to forge weld together to make a San mai billet?

you'll probably get a few opinions, but I think 1080/1084 and 15N20 would be up there on anyone's list

 

[Gene Kimmi]

I’ve done a couple with 1084 or 1095 and wrought iron. I used a 1/4” core and 3/8” wrought when I made them.

 

[Edwardshandmadeknives]

I’ve used 1018/1095 before and it worked good. Carbon migration between the low and high layers can be a problem, which is why a lot of people are using nickel shim between the layers. I hear nickel sucks to weld though.