Thread: A San Mai in progress

Very nice looking blades there Pierre, and neat to see your process of making them. The real question is though...how do they shave?

Thanks for the step by step, and a peek into your shop. I wish I had all your tools. Doing San Mai really makes sense - if you go with straight damascus, it is questionable whether the bladewill ever really will hold an edge. Once again, those old Japanese bladesmiths had it right. And, as always, your work is exceptional. Congratulations.

Originally Posted by skipnord

... Doing San Mai really makes sense - if you go with straight damascus, it is questionable whether the bladewill ever really will hold an edge. ...

Hmm, Skip you need to take another shot at that statement. There is a good reason for San Mai, but not because the pattern welded material is suspect. Pierre's mix of 1084/15N20 will produce a pretty good carbon content of 0.8% if he doesn't over cook it for long enough to burn away any. Looking at his tool set, it's not likely to lose enough to make a difference in steel quality.

Lord knows you have forgotten more than I every knew, Mike, so I'll definitely retract that. I sometimes have been know to repeat what I have heard, without checking for accuracy - the old ass-ume practice. What I had heard was that it was sometimes difficult to get a shaving quality edge on (some?) damascus. If that's wrong, so be it. Thanks for the correction, sensei. How are things going in western Washington?

Originally Posted by skipnord

Lord knows you have forgotten more than I every knew, Mike, so I'll definitely retract that. I sometimes have been know to repeat what I have heard, without checking for accuracy - the old ass-ume practice. What I had heard was that it was sometimes difficult to get a shaving quality edge on (some?) damascus. If that's wrong, so be it. Thanks for the correction, sensei. How are things going in western Washington?

Maybe you were thinking of those damascus things that change steel along the edge, not a homogenous steeled edge.

That's what I was thinking. Is it an issue if the pattern welded steel IS the edge - or will the 15N20 portion take just as good an edge as carbon steel????? Maybe I was thinking a a pure nickel layer.

Clearly by your pictures you have limited experience in this sort of manufacturing.. I would invite you to see my set up in my garage where I have a dremmel, cheap band saw, box of sand paper and a belt sander...Okay, I feel pathetic in your presence..... Very cool of you to show the process, I hope you pic the scale making too.

That look sweet Pierre

Excellent thread, thanks for the step by step. Great looking blade too.

Stu

Continuation, here are a few pics finishing the build...

I went with Horn, and a nickel silver wedge.



Fitting the wedge...


These puppies are translucent!!