The art of forging multiple layers of steel together into beautiful, strong, and sharp Damascus steel blades started millennia ago. Now, with this guide, novice blacksmiths and bladesmiths have a practical and budget-conscious approach to forging their own Damascus steel knife. Starting with the basics, this practical guide shows how easy it can be to build a simple Damascus-grade forge; forge Damascus steel into different patterns; and forge a blade into shape, harden it, and turn it into a finished knife. Sketches, step-by-step instructions, and tools and materials lists help you prepare and work through the project methodically and safely. Complete with tips for sharpening Damascus steel blades and insights on the metallurgy behind this special steel, this guide is ideal for the metalworking hobbyist.
Chapters include:
A brief history of Damascus steel
Developments of Damascus
Regional developments
Equipment and materials
Gas forge
Brick forge
Tools for forging
Types of steel
Forging Damascus
Assembling the package
Welding the package
Folding the package
Creating patterns
Layered Damascus
Banded Damascus
Twist pattern
Multiple bar
Mosaic
Forging a blade
Heat treating
Etching
Constructing the handle
Edge sharpening
Protecting against rust
Heat colors
List of suppliers
Soft cover, spiral bound, 104 pages, color photos, 6" x 9" format.
By Ernst Siebeneicher-Hellwig and Jurgen Rosinski.
