Twisted Damascus

[Benjy]

I made my first twisted Damascus last week end, I started with 11 layers, 6 of 1084 and 5 15n20. I welded forged out cut and restocked 3 layers so 33 layers. I then twisted it 10 times in 2 heats. I did 2 separate billets, one came out perfect and the other had some cracks on the edge but still had enough to make a new designed EDC.
So if I did not restack to 33 layers and only twisted 5 times, would that make thicker layers at more of an angle across the blade?

 

[springer82]

Yes you will have thicker layers. More of an angle???? You can do that while forging. I have never made a HIGH layer blade. The most I have made is around 90 layers. I like around 40/50 layers myself. It's one of those individual things. Put them in FC for 5 minutes. Clean them up and see what they look like. You can also soak then in instant coffee. That really brings out the layers. Best of luck!!

 

[Freds Edge]

The blades look good if you want to change the pattern you can do that by changing the type of grind you do . I would suggest getting Jim Hrisoulas book The Complete Bladesmith , he dose a very good job of explaining patterns.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

The angle of the pattern will change depending on how many twists per inch you do. I like a 30 - 40 layer pattern with about 1 twist per inch.

 

[Benjy]

The angle of the pattern will change depending on how many twists per inch you do. I like a 30 - 40 layer pattern with about 1 twist per inch.

I am going to try a billet this weekend, I am going to use 11 layers and forge it out to 12 inches and only twist it 5 times. We will see what I get.
I like the low layer count, probably because as I get older it is hard for me to see the high layer count! Hahaha!