Damascus/Mokume wedding ring Q's

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jesseaction

jesseaction

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Hi everyone! This is my first foray into the custom forums so hopefully I'm not stepping astray (apologies in advance to the mods if this needs to be moved).

I fell in love with knives before I can remember, but a few years ago I met a beautiful girl and fell right in love with her too. Sometime next year we'll be getting married and I can't imagine anything better for that symbol of our relationship that I'll be wearing every day than something built from ancient blade technology.

I was going to post a request for links to damascus and/or mokume wedding bands...but then I minted myself a brand new gold membership, did some searching, and found plenty of links (in particular the ones posted below). So I decided to change my request to one for advice, in particular from anyone who has spent some time with a true blue knife-lovers ring on their finger. It sounds like an appropriate liner is a good idea to prevent corrosion and save your skin. Anything else? All thoughts, advice, and links will be much appreciated.

Thanks! Jesse :):thumbup::thumbup:

links:
http://www.mokume-jewelry.com/index.html
http://www.jloose.com/
http://www.damast-ringe.de/galerie/galerie.php?img=1&kat=STAG1
http://frazee.blademakers.com/
http://www.mitchlum.com/rings.html
 
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Thanks for the info guys. By the way, I posted in this forum as opposed to somewhere else because my initial thought was to get a knife-maker to make the damascus ring and to get a gentleman's folder made out of the same bar stock. Since then I have started thinking this might be more trouble than its worth for everyone involved, and I may as well get a ring and then just get a knife made separately at some point. It might be a little too much having a knife sharing a soul with your wedding ring. What happens if you lose or break it?! Ouch
 
I made my wedding rings with a little help from Allen Eleshiwitz ( he had a lathe...I didn't at the time). Mine are damasteel with 22k gold inlaid band around the center outside, so it shows the damasteel on the edges and gold in the center. My only complaint is it picks up magnetism over time and I end up with tiny shavings sticking to it when that happens. I just demagnetize it when I notice it. I am considering going to a gold band though.
 
Jesse,
I think you are on to something very meaningful for you and your bride-to-be. I had the same idea a couple years ago when I was in your position. I wanted to make a damascus ring for my fiance. The idea of two seperate metals forged together to make one was a great metaphor for our marriage. A good friend of mine and knife maker, Butch Sheely, had a nice size piece of his damascus that he was willing to part with and so it began. I had never made a ring before but with a few simple tools I made a dummy ring as a test and then the real thing. It took the better part of a day but it is something that means the world to my wife. It took me a few hours another day later to line the ring with silver solder.

There are many awesome artist out there that are making damascus rings. If you don't feel like tackling this yourself they will surely be able to supply you with something beautiful but if you're up for it I think you can do it yourself. If I can do it, you surely can.

Mike
 
I got married earlier this year and I had a combination stainless damascus and 18k ring made. I don't wear jewelry, so I figured if I have to wear a ring it's going to be something that I actually think is cool. It turned out pretty well, and surprisingly my wife loves it. Our rings don't actually match as she wanted diamonds on her wedding band and there is no way I am going to wear diamonds. Still, she likes my damascus ring enough that she wants one for herself.

I have one piece of advice for you. Get your ring a little bigger than you would normally wear. Since your band will be made from two dissimilar metals you won't be able to get it resized later on. That can be a problem a few years from now should you ever put on a little weight. I got mine to fit just right, and I have problems taking it off on a hot day.

Here's a pic of mine -

rings9.jpg
 
Thanks a lot again for the replies and info. I have been taking a little time to digest the advice while I look around more and think. I would love to try making my rings, but I live in an apartment right now and am trying to finish my PhD (somewhat desperately after 6 years, especially now that I'm engaged...), so between no tools, no space, and no time it is hard to imagine getting it done. Then again, my father has a workshop in NZ so maybe...can anyone recommend where I could buy some damascus stock that would be suitable for a ring or two?


kamagong said:
I got married earlier this year and I had a combination stainless damascus and 18k ring made. I don't wear jewelry, so I figured if I have to wear a ring it's going to be something that I actually think is cool. It turned out pretty well, and surprisingly my wife loves it. Our rings don't actually match as she wanted diamonds on her wedding band and there is no way I am going to wear diamonds. Still, she likes my damascus ring enough that she wants one for herself.

I have one piece of advice for you. Get your ring a little bigger than you would normally wear. Since your band will be made from two dissimilar metals you won't be able to get it resized later on. That can be a problem a few years from now should you ever put on a little weight. I got mine to fit just right, and I have problems taking it off on a hot day.
Click to expand...

That is a really nice looking ring! One of the nicest I've seen in my searches so far. Do you mind letting me know who you got to make it for you? I like the look of the fine damascus pattern; it seems more jewelry-like than some of the darker, coarser ones around.

Thanks again guys. I am always humbled by the thoughtful and free-flowing advice and wisdom that pours out of these forums. :):thumbup::thumbup:
 
I'd recommend a 3 gold mokume ring. Damascus sounds kinda cool, but there's no arguing the fact that the metal itself will corrode, some way or another. Plus, you might end up finding it a bit gimmicky after 10 or 15 years.

If I were to marry, I would get a simple gold band, no engraving, no design, just the LOTR type - something that will never be tacky, never become obnoxious, never be out of style.
 
Joss said:
I'd recommend a 3 gold mokume ring. Damascus sounds kinda cool, but there's no arguing the fact that the metal itself will corrode, some way or another. Plus, you might end up finding it a bit gimmicky after 10 or 15 years.

If I were to marry, I would get a simple gold band, no engraving, no design, just the LOTR type - something that will never be tacky, never become obnoxious, never be out of style.
Click to expand...

I'm actually leaning towards a 2 or 3 tone gold or silver colored Mokume-gane ring, with the colors very similar so the pattern is subtle. The concept of damascus is very cool, but it sounds potentially problematic, and would have to be done oh so just right.

By the way, is your avatar the picture from Stranger in a Strange Land? Very cool; it is an awesome book.

A lot of people have been suggesting Mr. Ealy, and his work looks superb. I will definitely be getting in contact with him. Thanks again guys. :)
 
Joss said:
I'd recommend a 3 gold mokume ring. Damascus sounds kinda cool, but there's no arguing the fact that the metal itself will corrode, some way or another.
Click to expand...

Do you really think that applies to stainless damascus as well?
 
Yes - it's stainless, not stainnot.

Take also a look at Steve Midgett's http://www.mokume.com/ . I don't have 1st hand experience w/ him but I have his book, and it is superb.

Another option is Phil Baldwin's http://www.shiningwave.com/ .

These two are references.

Yep, the avatar is for SISL, and yes, it is an awesome book.
 
I had my wedding band and engagement ring soldered together before my May 16 wedding and I think they are already coming apart! I had them soldered at a good jeweler and I take good care of my rings so I am just wondering if this is normal? How long does soldering usually last?
 
I've been making damascus & mokume (non-precious) for many years but when it came to our wedding rings, I decided to let an expert make them.

We ordered ours from James Binnion (www.mokume-gane.com). He's a delight to work with and one of the big names in mokume. Ours are three different colored golds with sterling silver between each layer. That way when they are etched, the silver falls back leaving the gold layers high. The colors and three-dimensional quality is gorgeous.

I'd snap a picture my wife's but she's at work. Mine is so beat up from the shop, well...

Cheers,

TV


Terry Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
SuzanneSmith said:
I had my wedding band and engagement ring soldered together before my May 16 wedding and I think they are already coming apart! I had them soldered at a good jeweler and I take good care of my rings so I am just wondering if this is normal? How long does soldering usually last?
Click to expand...

Soldering should be permanent, I would definitely check with the jeweler who did it if you think it is coming apart.
 
I made a pair of rings out of some of David Lisch's mosaic damascus and while they are quite cool, I would recommend stainless damascus or mokume for you. The carbon steel damascus takes on a patina and darkens over time. I used a tastefully thin coating of black Acraglas epoxy on the inside which worked very well, but isn't as classy as gold or silver. Anyway, you don't really want your girl wearing a dark ring that has the potential for rusting - they need some sparkle. Right?

-M
 
My ex girlfriends damascus necklace turned black in a few weeks from oil on her neck! I would also agree that carbon based damascus is a bad idea. But maybe stainless would be nice if you can find someone to do it.
 
I would say that you should call Delbert Ealy (his website got changed to http://www.mokume-jewelry.net/ from the .com linked above) and chat with him about it. He'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about mokume and then some. Delbert makes really nice mokume rings at very reasonable prices and is a great guy to boot.

Congrats on the impending nuptials!

-d
 
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