matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 just a sneak preview of what iv been making this week . theres high class damascu/pattern welding AND theres............ World class. I will do a montage/video to music of the whole process in a day or so, but until then I will leave it at that. I’m so please with all of it but the one tight patterned billet is making me feel pretty smug. Details ,Ok there sc70 carbon spring steel an 15n20 nickel steel laminated, forge welded to 120 layers then two different versions of ladder pattern. One pattern larger than the other.I have 4 billets two with stick tangs have 9"lengths for blades aprox 2" wide and 6-8mm thick. And two smaller billets one is 240 layer ladder pattern that will be the guard of the tighter patterned knife.They will be fighting knives I hope, one will defe be a serious Bowie. Cost???They stand me in the hundreds already!!But skill should never be cheap it’s the same hands that make my fieldcrafter-uk knives !!Just a side note, I do not take commissions on this sort of thing I just make what I want to as an art form. They cost what they cost and take as long as they take to make. All the best, matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Very impressive indeed, I'm a lover of Damascus things in general, why are some Damascus metal work brown in colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 (edited) I have to be honest I'm not sure of the answer to that , In the case of barrels it's deliberate . But intrestingly not all Damascus guns where browned there where quiet a few finishes including blued and acid etched . I profiled the bigger pattern billet this evening and surface ground the whole thing . It's a serious looking knife now !! Thanks for the kind word I know it's probably not that spectacular yet but the patterns will reveal a huge amount of movement once ground to knives. All the best , matt Edited July 14, 2013 by matt . simmons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigman Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Very nice Matt , bet your arm is aching from all that hammering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 No thank god !! It's alot better I can swing a hammer again , but this lot are done under a power hammer . I got lots of photos and a couple of short videos , it won't be completely clear how its done but there will be some insite . I'm learning all the time in this topic , this week I learned never to use a coke forge again ( it's dirty slow and I can't use it ) And something I had allways known , that's to really take your time and make the effort when patterning the steel . Again the pics will explain that better than I can . The big thing this week was the heat , naturally and in the forge . Iv been wet through pretty much all week , because you need to be covered up to be safe from sparks and scale coming off the billet . Il keep updating as things divelop . All the best , matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Watching with interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadedFlapper Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 What power hammer you using Matt? Coke forges have a lot of advantages, although like you said dirty and time consuming! But a lot easier to direct the heat to where you want it! Especially scoll work etc. But for heating billets you can't beat a gas forge. And as for forge work in this weather, its the best way to lose a few pounds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadedFlapper Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Oh and the browned damascus is basically rust! It degreased then a rusting solution brushed on.Then left for 24 hrs or so.To penetrate the surface. Then boiled in distilled water. Then a lot of polishing involved to get desired finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I agree for blacksmithing coke is pleasant , I'm no blacksmith and openly admit it . But for what I do gas is the best I believe . I did a 240 layer ladder pattern last week on coke forge and its pretty but only good for the guard not a cutting edge . I'm using a 46kg Turkish hammer from Vaughn's The dies are true blacksmith abused , dished out and not aligned . Iv got to buy in new dies at £300 to get it so I'm happy with it , but I'm lucky the owner is happy for me to fit them as and when I'm there . Iv used Anyang air hammers before and I do rate them , but there's not one on offer just a vile blacker and the Turk . It's not got that much bang to it I feel it might not be running efficiently I don't know . It Haemorrhages Oil over the dies I know that Iv had a lot of intrest I the billets and the potential knives within . Wish I could just forge the stuff everyday !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadedFlapper Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Ahh.......the blacker! Remember them well. Done my apprenticeship using these bad boys! Very crude but it saves your arm! A college of mine was using one and the head came flying off. I had a lot of respect for them from that day on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Iv heard horror stories about them too . Firing tooling out from under the dies . A smith leaning into close and getting his fore head squared off . All sorts . From what I can tell there all noise with no real bang . To be fair the one on offer has not been in true working order for 5 years I'm told . For big work where it's just material movement I'm told there very good ? Iv got to manually surface grind the knife billet tonight when it cools my workshop is dangerously hot today !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 jeeeeeeez. I love a bit of welding and fabrimication and I'm very good at what I do but this is amazing. Good work mate. are you a metal worker by trade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) Hi Reece professional blade smith and cutler . Iv replied to your pm . The welding in this sort of thing is not mig , tig or arc Just pulling your leg ! All the best , matt Edited July 16, 2013 by matt . simmons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 You have some serious skill. After seeing your other knifes I can only imagine these Damascus ones will be stunning. Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Thank you , it's taken along time, lots of failure and huge expense to get this far . Pattern welding is one of those incredible personal challenges . It's a science and an art all in one something I'm not gifted in either naturally . But I'm hooked addicted what ever the term is . If I was to win the lottery I would just forge the stuff avery day . Maybe not even finish the knives just for billet after billet . Sad to some I'm sure ? I get so excited about the next piece I make its all I think of which is not healthy I'm sure Today should see alot of work done on the first of the Bowies that are planned . I have all the components now so no excuses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 img]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m494/minibullmacine/image_zps9ee0eb18.jpg[/img] I hop you like it ! All the best , matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxus77 Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 amazing skill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 I dont know anything about bowie knifes; but that is gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) Thanks jim Bowie was a true American , he was famed for his knife and the things he did with it !! It's all really hardcore stuff , but his knife has become a staple for collectors ! It's my first Bowie and I don't think it's a bad one ? Thanks for the kind words guys Edited July 22, 2013 by matt . simmons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Very impressive , keep up the great work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigman Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Only just got up , now I need to go lay down again That is gorgeous Matt one hell of a iron mistress , top draw mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 That is a very very nice Bowie and a good shape. As your first it is very impressive and I don't think you will better it for a very long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Thank you fellas ,it's been a huge task to make , lots of learning for me and lots of firsts . But it's come out pretty well I think . It sold within seconds of the new owner seeing it ! So it must be about right ? Iv got to knuckle down now and make lots of fieldcrafters as iv sold a lot of those last week too. Once iv got my stock back to a healthy level I can start a new Damascus knife ... It's all about balance right ? But in my heart is rather be forging theses bad boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 I need one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt fieldcrafter-uk Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 There will be more to follow ! I'm glad you guys like it . Thanks again . All the best , matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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