

Randomīelieve it or not, randomly folding the steel layers during the forging process creates a recognizable pattern. In this section, we’ll describe the seven most common Damascus steel patterns and how you achieve them. Over time, specific variations have developed, recognizable variants that can be identified and requested if the smith follows certain methods. By altering the steel-manipulation process in various ways, smiths can create distinctive patterns in Damascus steel. Those patterns are the subject of our next section. This leads to the distinctive patterns for which Damascus steel is renowned today. This rapid multiplication of layers followed by an acid-etching process causes the steel’s nickel content to take on a bright silver tone and its manganese content to darken. Every time this process transpires, the number of folds in the steel doubles, and the number of original layers used ranges from two to five. The layers are then hammered and folded before getting forged again. Hotter temperatures would cause that carbon to burn, destroying the desired effect.Īs the iron heats and begins to burn, the smith adds borax or sand to it, creating a protective layer that prevents oxidation of the heated carbon. When making steel, most forges register closer to 3,000 ☏, but today’s steel has a low carbon content, whereas Damascus steel contains up to 1.8 percent carbon. (Some kinds may also include trace amounts of nickel, silicon, manganese, sulfur, and phosphorous.) Next, the smith heats the forge fires to a lower than normal temperature, typically no higher that 2,000 ☏. Pattern wielding starts with smiths stacking multiple layers of carbon-rich steel together. While some today use this method, most employ a process known as pattern wielding. This method required not only a very specific kind of metal, but also a careful eye toward avoiding higher temperatures, which would destroy the desired patterns. How does it work? Originally, artisans in the Middle East would forge a specific kind of carbon-rich iron that originated in India in a crucible at varying heat levels, working it and reheating it time and again. That’s exactly what happens with Damascus steel. When you purchase Damascus billets and round bars from Jayger, you’re getting more than just steel: you’re getting an enduring tradition that will last a lifetime.Have you ever sunk your teeth into a fresh croissant or bit into the rust of a hot-from-the-oven slice of genuine Chicago-style pizza? If so, you know that both dishes get their delicate, flaky feel from the lamination of butter into the dough, lots of extremely thin layers getting folded back onto each other again and again and again. Whether you’re building Damascus gun parts or designing a ring, you’ll find exactly the right Damascus for your project. At Vegas Forge, our Damascus steel patterns aren’t just wavy – we painstakingly create Damascus Steel in a range of patterns.

At Jayger we take pride in the variety, quality, and individuality so you get the very best selection of Damascus billets.īorn from a forging tactic that dates back centuries, Damascus steel is known for its distinctive wavy pattern and undeniable strength. Our Damascus Steel forged with expertise and careful attention to detail and are available in a stunning array of striking patterns, so whether you’re producing Damascus steel blanks or designing custom jewelry, you’ll find exactly what you need here. Jayger produces the finest Damascus steel for sale with a focus on craftsmanship.
