Thread: Damascus steel

The explanation of the number of folds is appreciated. I've never understood the numbers on that before reading your post.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

I'm curious why 64 is an important number?

Well, Mike, it's like this: your governor just had his 64th birthday and caught up with me. And there you have it.

Oh, and this Vikings and the Damascus thing: it's about time we got credit where credit is due; this lutefisk thing will only last so long.

Originally Posted by Bruce

this lutefisk thing will only last so long.

Ah, lutefisk, that never gets old Sir

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Just to help me understand your reference system. I think you're talking about the number of layers rather than folds. But there is a difference. It may be technical, but it does explain the process better.

ln terms of the Japanese methods of processing tamahagane into a usable lump of steel for swords or tools or razors.

Now where the hard and soft stuff might play a role is when a Japanese smith or Norwegian builds a blade that has a simple three layer construction. The outside two slabs do not need to be hard when done but the good steel core does. ... That construction is meant to improve the toughness of the blade when the hard steel core would crack. But no one should be using their knife or sword as a pry bar regardless.

It is the number of layers, not the number of folds that I've seen referenced. Thanks for the explanation as I'd never thought of it through properly.

I remember having a conversation with a knifemaker about tamahagane once. He went to Japan to study their traditional methods. His conversation with his mentor went something like this.
Westerner *Picks up tamahagane* "Why are you keeping the slag?"
Japanese Mentor "No, that's what we'll be using to make knives with"
W *Thinking there is a translation error* "So this is the leftover slag?"
JM "No this is what we use to make the knives"
W "You actually use this stuff to make your knives from?"
JM "Knives made traditionally we do."

As for your last point, I think some Viking beserker in the olden days would be quite interested in getting a blade that wouldn't snap as he crowbarred it out of someone else's skull.

Using the method Mike mentioned, 64 folds would result in 36,893,488,147,419,103,232 layers of steel.

It could have just as easily been the Beatles "When I'm 64..." It's amazing how quickly the numbers add up.

That's a good story about the tamahagane. One I've witnessed several times in slightly different circumstances. A picture can be worth a lot. Here's a good link: YouTube - Making Steel from Dirt