EDU: How to forge your own Katana.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 11/05/2006 4:08am

Sirc's value lies in his ability to draw out those who actually have some knowledge of the subject he brings up in order to tell him to STFU.

**bricco** · Posted On: 11/06/2006 7:51am

So, what is requested from a humble noobie such as I to prove what little worth I may hide beneath these many layers of clumsyness and fat and finally achieve the honor of private messages, o First Troll, sensei of trolls?

**jubei33** · Posted On: 11/07/2006 3:09am

i think the limit is like 20 posts in newbie town or elsewhere, OR (the better route) a supporting membership, which is like $20. (I'm still getting around to it)

**bricco** · Posted On: 11/07/2006 6:10am

Posts shall be. Now, we were talking about forging: I think some of these links may help you:

http://damascus.free.fr/f_exp/com.htm
http://www.northcoastknives.com/nort..._tutorials.htm (this is about making knives from steel bars)

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 11/07/2006 7:11am

Originally Posted by bitchco

So, what is requested from a humble noobie such as I to prove what little worth I may hide beneath these many layers of clumsyness and fat and finally achieve the honor of private messages, o First Troll, sensei of trolls?

I think you are required not to be a whiny little bitch...and have 20 posts.

**bricco** · Posted On: 11/07/2006 1:51pm

Aw sheesh, you're making me blush!

**Dirty Rooster** · Posted On: 11/07/2006 5:16pm

Originally Posted by bricco

Posts shall be. Now, we were talking about forging: I think some of these links may help you:
http://damascus.free.fr/f_exp/com.htm

Hey Bricco, this is the way I make layered billets, although I use iron for the lower-carbon layers mostly, and limit the layers to less than a hundred.
Sensible site, but a bit too french.

**bricco** · Posted On: 11/08/2006 10:16am

Can you help me with something?
In making pattern welded steel the part I always found harder is the first stacking: more often than not the layers of steel just won't stay together and fall apart. Any hints?
Thanks.

**bricco** · Posted On: 11/09/2006 3:04am

A trick I tried yesterday. It's old, maybe you already know it: to weld together the layers of steel sprinkle some water on your anvil, then, when the piece is at welding temperature, quickly draw it from the forge, keep it suspended just above the anvil and finally deliver a sharp blow with the hammer.
When the steel makes contact with the water the latter vaporizes explosively (caution!) and doubles the blow that comes from the hammer; works like a charm.

**Dirty Rooster** · Posted On: 11/11/2006 1:10pm

Originally Posted by bricco

Can you help me with something?
In making pattern welded steel the part I always found harder is the first stacking: more often than not the layers of steel just won't stay together and fall apart. Any hints?
Thanks.

A problem often encountered.

Try ;
1. Thicker layers.
2. Longer soak in the heat or higher final temperature.
3. Hit more gently with a large-faced flat hammer.
4. Burn charcoal : less air blow, more heat, reducing atmosphere.
5. Use a special commercial anhydrous borax mix.
6. Make half the layers real iron with slag inclusions.
7. Start with only three-layer sandwich and go from there.
8. Tack-weld the end or ends.
9. Use more precise box tongs and square clips instead of wire binding.

All of those will help,
some can't be done by everyone's setup.