Thread: 1084/15n20 pattern welded steel. Not razor-related, but...

...I just couldn't resist sharing this. It's my first attempt at making pattern welded steel and apart from the problems on what will be the handle, I'm pretty pleased. 128 layers of 1084 and 15n20. I can see now why people sometimes advise against making this stuff without a hydraulic press or power hammer. But burns, blisters, and a sore arm are just signs of having done some actual work.

Having survived this process, I've already ordered more steel to make another billet. Of course I'm thinking of trying my hand at a razor next time around, but first want to look into those steels and how they work on razors. Or perhaps really get carried away with a pattern welded 1084 & 15n20 / 01 san mai thing. But first, I need to finish this one and its near-twin...