San Mai preview

[kbaknife]

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!

 

 

[Lin Rhea]

That is pretty neat Karl! Congratulations for doing something that few have done.

[Kevin Evans]

its not kinda cool,its way cool!!!!!
congrads on getting it to stay together

       

 
can't wait to try this  

[Montauks]

"and it just looks kind of cool!"

no doubt!.....will it get an ebony handle?

[amar911]

I am VERY impressed! Great work, Karl!!!!

Allan

[kbaknife]

Originally 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!

[Steve Nuckels]

         

   

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

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
ABS Apprentice

[onemississipp]

I was researching the San Mai the last few days, awesome execution, as always!!

[Ragnarok Forge]

1095 and true stainless.  That is very impressive.

[Margly]

Thats really nice!
Looking forward to see the finished knife

[rjackson]

That is cool, but what is the purpose of doing that . just curious.

Randy

[kbaknife]

Originally 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

[Lamey]

really looking fwd. to seeing this one finished!!  great work Karl.

[akaboomer]

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

[oldpaths]

OH MY!!!!