[TheForge] need help on a project

[Jason Nass]

A good friend used to work for Ka-Bar, and at one point purchased several
tons of drops at scrap price. The steel is 1085, not 1095. He was also kind
enough to give me a small stash of the stuff he got, I use it with 15N20 to
make my pattern welded steels. I assume you  want pattern welded Damascus,
and not true Damascus steel, as there are to my knowledge only 2 guys in the
world who have managed to make it in modern times... and I don't think that
it is a 100% process to get the pattern to show. There are a ton of us
pattern welding, and a ton of suppliers for raw billet. I will make billet
to order, 3/16 x 1 (approximate) runs around $25-$35/ linear inch depending
on the pattern you want, as some take more work than others. 

Jason Nass
me at wargoth.com

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andrew Vida
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:41 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] need help on a project



On 7/31/2011 11:08 AM, fudgumz at gmail.com wrote:
> I've been contracted to make a Ka-Bar knife. My question is what steel
should i use? I can order whatever i need. Also, does anyone know where i
can get some quality damascus? And can anyone tell me whether a hamon would
show on damascus?
> Matt Gallagher.

Original KaBars were, IIRC, simple tool steel (1095?)

The answer is that it depends on what is wanted in terms of a finished
product.  If you want something authentic, you stick with plain steel. 
If stain resistance is important there are some CPM steels I hear to be
excellent without sacrificing other important qualities such as edge holding
and toughness.

Perhaps a little more information is in order.
______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoworks.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html