Description
In this video I start by making a 228-layer billet of 1084 and 15N20 steel. I started with 19 layers, then cut the billet into 4 to give me 76 layers. Next I cut the billet into 3 to give me 228 layers. Once I got to my final layer count, I pressed a ladder pattern into the billet with ladder dies. In order to get what I call a wave pattern, I then press the ridges back flat on the billet. For a typical ladder pattern you would grind the ridges off to get a bold tiger striping effect in the patter. By pressing the ridges back down, you get a more subtle repeating vertical pattern.
I forged the blade to shape using a combination of my Coal Ironworks 12-ton press and the hammer and anvil.
I normalized the blade at 1650F, 1500F, and 1400F. I quenched the blade at 1475F in Parks 50 that was heated to ~120F. I tempered the blade for two 2-hour cycles at 400F.
I sanded the blade to 220-grit on the 2x72 belt grinder, and then hand sanded to a 600-grit finish. I washed the blade with warm soapy water, degreased it with brake cleaner, and then rinsed the blade with warm water before etching it in ferric chloride acid to reveal the damascus pattern. I etched the blade for (3) 5-minute cycles in ferric chloride, and wet sanded the oxides off with 1200, 2000, and 2500 grit sandpaper in between cycles. I finished it off with a coffee etch for around 3 - 4 hours. After the coffee etch I rinsed the blade in warm water, and lightly sanded the highs with 2500-grit sandpaper. I dried the blade with an air compressor and let the oxides set overnight. I applied a food safe blade wax, and heated the blade with a heat gun to allow the wax to melt into all of the valleys of the damascus pattern.
I attached layered OD green, coyote tan, and black micarta scales with black G10 liners. I rough shaped the handle on the 2x72, and refined the shape by hand. I took the handle finish up to 600-grit before polishing it on the buffing wheel with pink rouge. I applied 3 coats of Odie’s Oil finish, and allowed at least 12 hours of cure time between coats.
I sharpened the blade at 20 degrees using a Wedgek angle guide and Ultra Sharp diamond stones. I used 300-grit, 1200-grit, and 3000-grit stones along with Trend lapping fluid. I polished the edge with a double sided leather strop loaded with 5 micron diamond paste on one side, and 3.5 micron diamond paste on the other.
Contact
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