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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: kbaknife on January 01, 2012, 01:13:00 PM

Title: San Mai preview
Post by: kbaknife on January 01, 2012, 01:13:00 PM
I will admit that this has been a while coming, and something I have been working on for, maybe, two years?
It's just not easy to do, and having finally figured out all the complexities that are involved with the way I do things, the materials and my equipment, I just really wanted to share this you guys.
The difficulties include the fact that stainless steel just does NOT want to weld to tool steel very well. There come these few  moments during the creation, welding, forging and heat treating segments that literally bring into play everything a maker has learned - up to that point.
And there is zero tolerance for failure.
But, the results are quite dramatic.
What we have is a three piece sandwich - a 1095 tool steel core with a layer of 416 stainless steel laminated to the sides for corrosion protection - and it just looks kind of cool!
Some neat carbon migration going on, raw iron exposed, etc.
I'm excited to finish this one out - my first one of 2012!

(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/Knives%202012/WIHd-2.jpg)

(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/Knives%202012/WIHe-2.jpg)
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Lin Rhea on January 01, 2012, 01:21:00 PM
That is pretty neat Karl! Congratulations for doing something that few have done.
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Kevin Evans on January 01, 2012, 02:33:00 PM
its not kinda cool,its way cool!!!!!
congrads on getting it to stay together

  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:


can't wait to try this   ;)
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Montauks on January 01, 2012, 05:10:00 PM
"and it just looks kind of cool!"

no doubt!.....will it get an ebony handle?
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: amar911 on January 01, 2012, 05:16:00 PM
I am VERY impressed! Great work, Karl!!!!

Allan
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: kbaknife on January 01, 2012, 05:49:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Montauks:
"and it just looks kind of cool!"

no doubt!.....will it get an ebony handle?
I just don't know - but that's along the lines I was thinking.
I have some Ceylon Ebony, which is the primo grade of ebony. Might have to dig it out tomorrow!
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Steve Nuckels on January 01, 2012, 08:34:00 PM
:notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:  

 :clapper:  

Congratulations Karl, I would say a milestone!  Anxious to see it complete!

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
ABS Apprentice
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: onemississipp on January 01, 2012, 08:48:00 PM
I was researching the San Mai the last few days, awesome execution, as always!!
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on January 01, 2012, 11:06:00 PM
1095 and true stainless.  That is very impressive.
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Margly on January 02, 2012, 06:00:00 PM
Thats really nice!
Looking forward to see the finished knife :)
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: rjackson on January 02, 2012, 09:37:00 PM
That is cool, but what is the purpose of doing that . just curious.

Randy
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: kbaknife on January 03, 2012, 07:16:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by rjackson:
That is cool, but what is the purpose of doing that . just curious.

Randy
Most of the steels we use are simple carbon steels and will rust quite readily if ignored and not maintained.
In this method, about 80% of the blade is protected with a stainless steel jacket to resist corrosion.
Plus, it looks cool!    :D
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: Lamey on January 03, 2012, 09:08:00 AM
really looking fwd. to seeing this one finished!!  great work Karl.
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: akaboomer on January 03, 2012, 11:37:00 AM
Very nice Karl! Congrats on getting the details and methods down.  I agree the Carbon migration and layering have a huge appeal to me.

Chris
Title: Re: San Mai preview
Post by: oldpaths on January 03, 2012, 06:48:00 PM
OH MY!!!!