Alternatively, you can soak it in water first, and then soak it in blacksmith's quenching oil afterward.
The creation process is similar to that for pattern welding but uses stainless steel instead of the traditional high carbon steel. Stainless Damascus steel is an evolution of pattern-welded steel. The smith then cuts and stacks the newly welded billet before welding it again, repeating this process multiple times to achieve as many layers as possible. Once the pile of hot steel has been removed from the forge, it is pounded or pressed together into one lump, fusing the pieces together. These forge-welded steel blades are impressive works of art, crafted by stacking up small pieces of two alternating types of steel, tack-welding them together, and forging them until the right color is achieved. Modern blacksmiths have tried to replicate this steel, with varying degrees of success. To produce forge-ready ingots, blacksmiths melted Indian iron ore in crucibles with plant matter and flux materials like glass, then carefully cooled it. Crucible SteelĬrucible steel (also known as water or wootz steel) is a now-rare original form of Damascus steel. Variations of Damascus Steelīelow is an overview of common variations of this attractive steel. This broad approach has resulted in variations that are as unique as they are attractive. Modern Damascus steel uses widely available high-carbon steels such as 15n20, which are specially blended with elements like nickel and vanadium to achieve specific properties. Today, blacksmiths and knifemakers produce it by using a pattern welding process to combine two different steels into a singular design. What is Damascus Steel?ĭamascus steel is a unique type of steel that features a high carbon content and alternating pale and shadowy grains that create distinctive patterns. In this blog, the team at Red Label Abrasives shares tips on how you can work this ancient art to your knife designs.
Fortunately, diligent research and modern technology have transformed Damascus steel from a historical curio into a resurrected art. This resilient and attractive steel was manufactured on a large scale until the 18th century, when the iron ore used to make it was depleted in Indian mines. It’s an achievement that’s impressive even by modern knifemaking standards. To make damascus steel, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and materials, assemble your steel billets, heat the steel, temper the steel, and then etch and finish the blade (if the steel will be used for a blade).ĭamascus steel is renowned for two things: its beauty and its ability to create a blade that’s strong enough for rigorous use while remaining flexible enough to resist damage and degradation. Damascus steel can be created in 5 steps. Damascus steel is a combination of different steels characterized by the wavy pattern of dark and light lines visible on the metal.