Pattern Welded Steel Damascus Steel

Pattern welded steel is made by layering iron and steel and forging the metals together by hammering them at high temperature to form a welded bond.

Pattern welded steel damascus steel.

It is helpful to surround the blocks with sacrificial material like damascus or plain carbon steel. Forge welding multiple layers produces the watery effect characteristic of this type of damascus steel although other patterns are possible. A flux seals the joint to keep out oxygen. The loaf method works well for patterns or figures where no distortion is desired.

Damascus steel was the forged steel of the blades of swords smithed in the near east from ingots of wootz steel either imported from southern india or made in production centres in merv or khorasan these swords are characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water sometimes in a ladder or rose pattern. So if you have a pattern welded damascus steel that has been acid etched it is a legitimate blade and a real damascus knife. According to authentic historical methods creating damascus using wootz steel is a lost art which is why pattern welding is the most common and original method of creating damascus. I ve been into blacksmithing for a little under a year now and now that i ve finally managed to make and acquire adequate tools i ve been able to really start making things my initial setup was using a small sledge hammer for an anvil and beating.