Blacksmith How-To

Making a Damascus Knife Billet - Part 1

by Scott Lankton

Photos by Rob Edwards

Published in the April 2000 Issue of Anvil Magazine

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1. For this Damascus billet, we will forge out the pre-welded stacks of alternating metal alloys which have been arc welded at the ends.

2. In this particular case, onto a 1/2" x 1" bar of 1018 steel I have welded alternating pieces of L-6, 1045 and pure nickel to insure a high-contrast pattern in the finished piece. The "mating" surfaces are ground clean.
3. The pieces are put into the coal forge and brought up to a yellow heat and hammered together tightly on the anvil.
4. A liberal amount of borax flux is spread throughout the stack. Flux is 75% 20-Mule Team Borax and 25% boric acid.
5. It is put back into the forge, brought up to a welding heat, taken out and welded with a hand hammer over the anvil.

(Image # 5 of 24)


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Please note: The full version of this "Blacksmithing How-To" is located in our Full Content Area which is available to Anvil Magazine subscribers and Anvil Online members.
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Look for Part 2 in next month's issue.

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