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I like it a lot. Rounded edges for plunge lines. Wont deform under normal pressure, doesnt scratch the steel. Doesnt get soggy or wet the way a piece of hard wood does.

Thanks, I will give that a go on my next one.

I have a hot stamp as well, but I like the look of the electro etch better. Plus its later on in the process and I would sometimes almost sand the hot stamp off.

Thanks for the tips! always appreciated. It is a 16T coal iron press.

I thought of that. BUT, it Im not sure it would work because there isnt a straight line anywhere on this blade. Everything is curving sweeping angle. How does it work for the sweeping curves?

he’s a good student! I would love to come play with your toys someday. Maybe next summer

Awesome! Thank you!

lol, not really or I wouldn’t have needed the update. I do like how its working now. Was also pleased that the plan for taking it apart to change the element worked as I planned.

It’s not too bad, and it is fun to see it come to life with the sanding. Good music helps to pass the time.

Helps with the steel calculations for how much I need to start with. for higher layers counts or complex patterns, it can easily reach 40-50%

lol, yup, I make them. You can see all of my leather at www.solarstorm.ca/leather

Moving stuff slowly to the shop at the lake. Had to wear the hat I made.

I started forging 4 years ago, just started putting stuff to video. Thanks.

@@solarstorm50 always important side note. Bob here hand forged a 1000 layer Damascus blade to make sure he really wanted to do this and buy more equipment. I say again: HAND FORGED A 1000 layer Damascus blade. Seriously impressive Bob. I need to go lift weights for two years so I can do that.

only 100 not 1000! 100 was hard enough. it was my 3rd blade. you can see it on my website at www.solarstorm.ca

thanks! didnt realise.

No prob!

anything specific? send me a picture of what you would like to see. I am currently back ordered until October. So it might be a few months.

@@solarstorm50 1000 layer, twist, sutton hoo type. Magneficent ser.

You got that right! Not only that it kills wasps too! definitely cheaper. A lot more work. but I do believe in Need a Tool... if you can make it. Lord knows there is very little money in bladesmithing and we do it because we love it.

Ive never had one pop from the oil. That all burns off rather quickly. I have had slag from the flux fly off and land on my hands when hammering, but even that is pretty rare. I suppose you could get flux in a pocket and have that squirt out when pressing or hammering, but so far its only from the hammer that I have been hit with slag.

I think it really surprises people when they realize how much steel is required, and how much ends up as forge scale and cut offs. And you are correct, it looks fantastic!

Thanks, this was a fun build. The Katana must look great!

Glad it helped!

lol - that’s exactly what I always call it. peaking at the Christmas present. This isnt heat treated yet or sanded to anything significant, so isnt as bright as it will be. But, just had to test the new enchant. (and peak at the presents)

Thanks. I find I always have to peak. When I make the damascus, I am always wondering how it will turn out. this one turned out Tony the Tiger Great! Once I heat treat and hand sand to 1500 it should be stunning.

Thanks, Im really pleased with how its turning out.

Thanks 👍

lol, yup it does stink. just thought that stabilize antler would look better. I also worry about the grain lines in a wood carving. The other option I considered was a ceramic head. My wife owns 3 Cats Pottery and there are some extremely tough ceramics.

Thanks, a bit terrified of quenching, but I always am...

lol Yup, figure it helps act as a heat sink…. No science behind that, but also hard to toss away. I have used them as rests or other things too. One of my most ambitious builds so far.

Thanks, what doesnt show in the video is how much I spend watching the temp with my infrared temperature gun. I do have a kiln for heat treat (if it fits since I made it a bit longer than planned)

Thanks, this was an insane amount of time at the grinder. The stock removal part of CuMai is the part I wish I could find another way to do.

@@solarstorm50 lol there is one, buy a 1/4 million dollar cnc machine and your all set. Don’t tell your wife I said that

lol, Maybe when I sell 2 more blades...

you only have to not do the test fit once…

not sure if I have any method of comparing other than the borax is a lot cheaper, and its not usually the flux that will cause me a failure. its usually me rushing the initial heat.

You are correct, there is always a difference between what I put to paper and the steel I have. I did end up restacking this one out to 192 layers for each side giving me a total of 384 for the blade plus the 2 copper and 1 center of 1084. if you are interested in the amount of steel lost when creating Damascus watch this short, I kept track all the way through the process ruclips.net/user/shortsbtZgFZgtXmU?si=RgbNQAmpEKLDcrGC

Thanks, it helps if you fix things for them. It would seem that I am the only person that can weld things in the neighborhood (although I am always ashamed of my welding). I actually get more people wanting to come watch.

@@solarstorm50 Happily for me, I have my forge set up on my 9 acre family farm, so nobody complains. Even out here, like you, since I can weld (after a fashion!) I get lots of neighbors wanting quick jobs. Oh, and antique tractor owners who need me to forge parts for their beasts they can't get anywhere else.

@brysonalden5414 Nice! I am building a shop on our lake lot (3.68 acres). love the parts business. Always great to have those skills. Maybe someday, I just bought a lathe and mill.

They look so easy! “We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy!”

Thanks just started Pt 2 where I build out the layer count I am now down to 4lbs and change just doing the first re-stack. I am always amazed at how much I loose. I did a blog post on how much I lost making a Damascus axe in my blog on my website solarstorm.ca/blog/f/damascus-losses

@@solarstorm50 sweet awesome info thanks for the link!!!!

Just put this together ruclips.net/user/shortsbtZgFZgtXmU?feature=share. 40% loss in creating the billets.

Maybe, but this is too easy for me to think about much. I see a lot of guys use a nub and tongs. then dont worry about this. But honestly the water works well, is simple and easy. I really wish I had figured this out earlier.

That rebar welded to the billet gets hot from the dragons breath! ;)

Thank you!

I use this guy on FB. I create the design and he makes em for me facebook.com/fabulousknives

I told the customer 3 months for the blade and scabbard. Mid Sept delivery. I plan on videoing as much as possible.

@@solarstorm50 well I am pumped. You’re a great teacher man, I am learning a lot from your little tips. Keep it up!

Thank you!

It actually took 3 tries. I have two failed attempts in the scrap bin. Started with 1” square stock. Then Split the ring side first. About 80%/20% with the 80% for the ring. Then drew out the ring with the hammer and then curled it round the horn and a small hardy mandrel I made. Files to round it off. Once I was happy with the ring I then formed the top of the guard and cut off the excess (had lots of excess, but better to have too much). Had to heat and tweak it a couple of times as I added the spacers and antler so that they met up perfectly. Was a bear to sand smooth for the bluing because I really couldn’t get any automated way to work, so I used the Mk 1 fingers, some music, and an occasional touch of scotch.

@@solarstorm50 I hear ya, I have a growing scrap pile. I wondered if it was worth selling “scrap knives” as memoirs to people. Like throwing a cheap handle on it and selling it as a “invest in the artist” momento

The best shapes are always found in nature! I find most of the blades refined their shape from some useful purpose. Be it short for close quarters, long curved Calvary blades, bludgeoning blades, piercing, etc. I know when I build a blade, I typically name them. That name quite often comes from an animal. Venom for the heartbeat spike in the Damascus, Cobra from fangs on the guard, a dragons claw. So I think you absolutely right. Might have to look around.

I guess if you victorious fighting off the bear, you have time to sheath it. If you weren’t, it really doesnt matter…

Yes, i do try and support the guys in the industry. I cant remember, but it really wasnt that much.

honestly its quick, I dont clean between the colors, just start with the lightest then spray until I see the new color. then at the end spray varsol through it and then take the tip off and let it sit in the varsol for 20 min. take it out and dry it

Cant say that is my idea. I saw it on a survival knife and thought that makes way too much sense