My first love is Damascus steel. Damascus steel is the result of stacking different types of metals and forge-welding them into different patterns. The patterning on these blades goes all the way through . . . it is each of these forged layers of metal that you are seeing.
Many of these blades have already been sold, but may be helpful in coming up with ideas for new knives.
These thumb nails are no longer activeI began pursuing this elusive process in 1978. After several failed attempts at forge-welding, I sought instruction from an expert of this technique. Although it is a difficult process to master, the basics came easy for me. Unfortunately, I was never satisfied with the results of making anything but the most complicated patterns. I read everything possible on the subject as well as conducting experiments in forge-welding special alloy steels.
In early 1980 I discovered Italian glass technology. Mosaic glass was first made by the Egyptians. This technology, allowing the construction of geometric designs and pictures in glass, is over 4000 years old. The process was lost for some three to four hundred years. The Italian glass workers discovered the lost method and have used it through modern times. The glass workers use different colored glass rods to develop geometric designs and pictures in glass.
In my Mosaic Damascus I use different alloy steels instead of colored glass rods to generate the images and designs for the patterns in my knives. There are a multitude of problems using steel that are not experienced in glass. A book could be written on the subject. I have managed to repeat most of the old glass patterns in my Damascus steel and have developed a few new methods.
I was the first bladesmith to produce an entire shooting scene in Damascus by forge-welding. That scene, titled Hunter's Dream, has been featured in books and magazines on every continent. I recently completed a special pattern with my actual signature in the steel. It is also an historical first. Other blade and gun smiths have pattern- welded images and names but none in script. Constantly testing the limits in this medium is the only choice for me. I am presently working on several new projects incorporating the latest metallurgical technology. Imagination seems to be the only limiting factor in this work.
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