On Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:05:00 -0400, MatthewK
<Matthewk@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>* Polymer Man <ncarothers@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> On Apr 18, 11:17 pm, Good soldier <goodsoldierschw...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> how do the two different types of
>>> blades stand up to rugged use? Cutting cartons, cutting rope, carving
>>> wood, butchering cattle, that kind of work, on an eight hour basis.
>>>
>>
>>
>> The general consensus seems to be that a properly done damascus will
>> perform just as well as a homogeneous steel. But a "properly" done
>> damascus is really not that common.
>>
>
>This is the only statement I have issue with. I guess it depends on how
>you define properly done. If a smith can weld, and pay attention to
>forge temp/time; I don't see why one couldn't make a proper blade.
>
>That being said, we live in a time where backyard smiths demand $500 for
>shoddy work....forgetting the fact there work, if properly done, is only
>worth about $50. I'm refering to homogeneous forgings here. :)
>
>As I said in another post, I feel the advantage of pattern-welded blades
>is in combat...and history might be on my side concerning that
>argument. Then again, the historical use of pattern-welding may only be
>a result of low quantities of good steel...either way, it looks cool and
>performs great in that context.
>
>matthew
>ohio
>
>P.S. awesome post, I'm glad your here.
It appears that my question opened the door to a bit more then I
expected, which was a fairly simple yes or no type of response, but it
seems that the question is more complex then I had thought.
I am assuming here that the term "pattern welding" is not being
applied to the Finnish? and Japanese technique of sandwich of a piece
of high carbon steel with outer skins of a lower carbon material.
It would appear to me that unless the pattern welded blade would have
been welded from two or more billets of essentially the same steel the
edge would vary in material and thus hardness from spot to spot. If
the hardness were to vary from spot to spot one would end up with what
is effectively a serrated edge, wouldn't one? While the serration
might be microscopic they would still be there? Or no?
Another point that I seldom hear mentioned by the knife crowd is that
in firearms "Damascus" steel barrels, specifically shotgun barrels
were always considered weaker then solid steel barrels and not
normally considered suitable for modern loads. I grant you that
welding up a shotgun barrel is a far more complex task then a knife
blade, still the Damascus shotgun barrels were always considered
suspect. Do pattern welded blades fail?
I fell that although I will probably select solid steel for my knives
it has been an enlightening discussion. I agree that while a well made
pattern welded blade is handsome I believe I'll stay with the solid
steel knives for my work knives.
Cheers,
schweik
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