Only nickel with Damascus?

[Broke another one]

Hello,
I put a small forge together and wanted to make some damascus steel, I was wondering if you had to combine nickel with steel or could you use another metal such as aluminum? If not where could I get some nickel bars because my local stores don't carry it.

Thank you for your guidance.

[skullworks]

I have purchased a couple of blades that the maker says are pure nickel. They are very high contrast of black and silver.

[tippit]

For what it's worth;

At the Blade Show in Atlanta, I was talking with one of the reps at Alabama Damascus.  I was looking for some Damascus pieces to try to forge out a blade rather than stock removal.  They had some higher content nickle (not sure if pure nickle) that was much brighter in contrast.  He said it wouldn't hold an edge as well as 15n20/1084.

Ray Kirk MS sells 15n20 & I believe 1084 for making Damascus.  Lin, Karl, Kevin, Doug...etc would know a lot more on this.  

I know nothing about Damascus except it is pretty and the pieces he sold me came out real nice even with my hammer blows...Doc

[skullworks]

Here is the one they said was pure nickel.

 

[Ray Hammond]

15n20 is what gives simple carbon pattern welded steel it’s shine.

The 2% of Nickel in this steel resists etching and remains relatively shiny and bright after etching. It is the shiny half of the “perfect match” of steels for the beginner to pattern welding as it welds easily, forges well, and contrasts extremely well with 1084.

15n20 works well in pattern welding with:

1084
1095

[Lin Rhea]

Please dont try to weld aluminum to steel. Non ferrous materials wont weld to ferrous materials under any of our circumstances. Also, although some will layer some nickle in their steel for looks, it reduces the durablity of the edge, because it wont harden. I use all carbon steel in mine. 1084 and 15N20 works well.

For welding damascus, please do some reading and find someone to watch it done too. It's not something you want to try cold turkey. Lin

Edited to add:
After reading what I said, I may have sounded a little bossy. I dont mean to be at all. I really want your first attemp to be successful.

[Broke another one]

No, no not bossy at all I take all information as helpful not criticism. I thank you

[Fallguy]

What do you use to etch the blades?

[Lin Rhea]

Ferric Chloride ( 1 to 4 with distilled H2O), but you can use vinegar (straight).

[Fallguy]

Thanks Lin. I just prfer a blade that has that 100 year old looking stain to it.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Lin nailed it.  I started with 1084 and 15N20 for damascus and have never looked anywhere else.  The steels are very compatible and definately what a beginner wants to use.  Also as mentioned find someone who is experienced and pay for or arrange to spend a day in their shop learning when they make damascus.