[TheForge] Damascus warpage and blade rivets

[gblacksmith]

Dan:  Warpage can be caused by several factors, acting alone or in concert.
These are, in my experience:

1.  Uneven forging.....failure to forge both sides of the billet evenly, on
each axis.
2.  Uneven annealing....do you preheat your annealing medium?  Do you use
one?
3.  Grinding too thin, or unevenly, before quenching.  Thin sections cool
differently than thick
4.  Improper quenching technique or quenching medium.  Some steels do not do
well with a water quench, which is more drastic than an oil quench.  What
are you using?

The fact that some , but not all of your blades are warping suggests a
variation in your technique, between blades,  somewhere along the process.
In the words of the great bladesmith Karl Schroen:  "Think uniformity of
process."

Or, if you prefer science fiction over science you can:

1.  Pour ice water over your head while quoting Buddhist sutras (or praying
the rosary) before quenching
2.  Quench your blades pointing in certain, mystical directions.
3.  Quenching your blades ONLY in the piss of wine-drinking bishops
4.  Rubbing your body with the body of a dead animal (a small household pet
will do nicely)

Myself, I prefer the scientific method.  The rivets you are seeking are
called "cutler's rivets" or "brake-shoe" rivets by some;  These can be
purchased through any of the knifemaker's supply houses, or at hardware
stores that have fastener sections supplied by Servility, Inc or any big
supplier.


Yours in Science
                                                                        and
in fiction


Grant



---- Original Message ----- 
From: "Daniel Kretchmar" <irontree@visi.com>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 11:55 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Damascus warpage and blade rivets


> Curiousity,
> 1.    Several of the last few blades I have done have warped during the
the
> hardening process.  I have attached the steps below.  What am I doing
wrong?
> 2. Anyone know where I can get the 2 part copper/brass rivets that have
end
> up having flat heads on booth sides of the knife handle?  I think one fits
> inside the other.
>
> Dan
> www.irontreeworks.com
> Steps
> 1. Make the billet
> 2. Anneal the billet
> 3. grind the blade and drill the tang
>
> ****This is where it warps*****
> 4. Harden (heat to orange and quench in water)
>    ****This is where it warps*****
>
> 5. Temper the blade (cover the edge in clay, heat back of knife to straw
> color, let cool
> 6. finish sand and polish.
> 7. dip in acid to release pattern
> 8. Attach handle (sand handle to fit)
> 9. sell for $14,000,000.00  :)
>
>
>
>
>
>
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