[TheForge] Welding SS

[A. Vida]

"R.C.Mundt" wrote:
> 
> Seems to me that SS is next to imposible to torch weld, it builds
> up a thick layer of really tough fire scale, your constantly digging
> through it and pushing it away w/ the filler rod.  Maybe borax isn't
> adequite to take care of this scale.

	I had an acquaintance, Mr. Dewey from the south, who I believe
	was the forst knofe smith to produce SS pattern welded blades.
	I saw his work at the East Coast Custom Knife Show in NYC near
	20 years past (15 at the very least) and he was the only guy 
	there with pattern welded SS blades.  Handsome, fine work it
	was, too.

	I had another acquaintance, Art Hubbard (may he RIP) who
	held the patent on what he called "precision engineered
	damascus" wherein he laid up layers of stainless steel
	(other steels as well) shim stock into a metal retort and
	welded them into billets which he later reworked to develop
	various patterns.  I have several of his SS billets squirreled
	away (God only knows where anymore) and have worked two of them
	and can tell you first hand that a properly welded SS billet
	will not delaminate.  I will also tell you that a 1 x 1 billet
	needs more than a 25# hammer to work without having to add
	liberal amounts of deeply profane commentary during the process
	of drawing that item into a cleaver-style kitchen knife. <8^o

	-Ahn-dee