Ok, really; let's stop confusing Damascus steel and pattern welded steel.
Ok, really; let's stop confusing Damascus steel and pattern welded steel.
Any sufficiently advanced incompetence is indistinguishable from malice - Grey's Law.
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If a damascus maker chooses different steel, each with it's own independent heat treating formula, "matches" them perfectly and then heat treats the multi-steel blade using a single heat treat formula, something has to be sacrificed? If heat treating is steel specific, as it is professed to be, then heat treating different steels the same way is sub-optimal.
from Alpha knife supply:
15n20 Heat Treating Information:
Austenitize: Heat to 1480°. Quench in oil.
Temper: Temper at least once for 30 minutes. Tempering twice for two hours each time is preferred. Use the table below to achieve desired hardness.
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1080 Heat Treating Information:
Austenitize: Heat to 1545°-1615° and hold for 5 minutes. Quench in oil.
Temper: Temper twice for two hours each time. Use the table below to achieve desired hardness.
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Last edited by Bush Monkey; 10-22-2012 at 07:17 AM.
Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
Alot of mastersmiths make their damascus from 1080 and 15N20 , which by the way has the same heat treat process.
A properly made damascus steel should perform as well as a mono steel. They pass their tests with it. ( Mastersmith Performance Test that is )
I have seen some makers use 52100 / 5160 / 203E / 15N20 , in a billet. The 203E does not have much carbon it it , so it won't get as hard as the other steels in the mix. There for you get the "serrated" type of edge.
The advantage is the latter of the 2 has more contrast ( the 203E is brighter than the 15N20 ), it still makes a great knife , better than a Buck , but not as good as the first.
JMHO , YMMV
Dwane
9-11-01 We will never forget , So watch your backs, you know who you are.
Member American Bladesmiths Society Apprentice Smith
Work Smarter NOT Harder
www.OliverKnives.com
Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
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