Damascus pattern welded Steel

[Leatherguy302]

Okay so here's my question what exactly am I looking for in the Steeles I choose to mix to make a pattern welded Damascus I know nickel will resist the acid or in the the etching medium however you want to word the but are there other Steel's that I could use say that might be high in chromium or ICobalt just now these are examples I highly doubt that I'm going to find anything that has high Cobalt and I would even be trying to etch it

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You pick steel that have similar HT ranges.
Then you pick alloys that have varying amounts of nickel and chromium. 1085, 15N20, O-1, will play well together. These will have a variety of etch colors and brightness.
To get a very bright stripes and glints in the damascus, put thin layers of pure nickel between the steel bars. .005" nickel is good for this. This is too thin to affect the edge, but will make nearly microscopic bands in the finished billet.

 

[DevinT]

Keep it simple with 1084 and 15n20.

Hoss

 

[David W Babcock]

Keep it simple with 1084 and 15n20.

Hoss

Steels with similar heat treat work well. I’ve used 15n20 and 1084/1095 before with good success. After reading a section from kevin Cashens website I just ordered some L6 had to get it in rounds so I’ll have to forge flat and service grind to use but he suggests L6 and O1 combination so I’m going to try that out soon and can chime back in.

 

[Willie71]

I just started making Damascus a couple months ago. 1084/15n20 is so simple. Of course I didn’t follow my own advice, and used W2: CFV, and, 80CRV2 for my first billets. 1084 welds and draws out easier than the other similar steels.

 

[weo]

Keep it simple with 1084 and 15n20.

Hoss

If you want to get into more complex patterns with more subtle shading, you can add some O-1 for a slightly darker etch than the 1080, and some mild steel for a lighter etch (but NOT for the edge).
In my experience, these 4 steels all seem to weld together easily and move the same while forging.