[TheForge] raindrop damascus

[Ralph E Douglass]

Daniel Kretchmar wrote:
> 
> Hey all
>    Could someone tell me how to make "raindrop damascus"  I saw the pattern in
> a knife magazine and I think I figured it out but I want to be sure before I
> try it.
>    I figure you make a regular billet and then use a round punch to make
> indents on the surface and then grind it down. The ad said the knife had the
> raindrop pattern on both sides which implies that you could have it on only one
> side.  Punch a pattern into the surface on both sides?  Did I guess right?

I am not a pattern-weler by trade nor do I play one on TV, but I do know
several and have worked with one in particular. His 'bird's-eye' or
raindrop is done as you say.  On bothe sides. He uses a hyd press and
has top and bottom dies so the dimples are done in one press.

> I suppose that if you hit too hard or grind too deep, the two patterns would
> interfere with each other.
> 
> I have done parquet damascus but that pattern is all the way through.  My
> parquet didn't look too smooth since all my welds didn't take but it was still
> pretty cool.
> 
> I am still having trouble making sure that no scale gets into the welds.  Any
> suggestions for cleaner forge welds? How do I insure that the weld is clean all
> the way through?

Another maker I know lets the billet cool after drawing and cutting and
then grinds all surfaces and then stacks and rewelds. But that is just
him. He does have nice work tho.

Ralph
-- 




                                                        
					
"Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
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