This intensive long weekend course immerses you in the world of Pattern Welded or Damascus steel. You will learn techniques in welding, folding and patterning beautiful and unique steel. We'll be using a hydraulic power press and rolling mill to make the welds and draw down the billets. You will make a billet that then is forged into two knives and then finished.

The course goes from Friday night 7pm until Monday afternoon 5pm.

Friday night will be getting an overview of design and processes so we can start at the anvil first thing in the morning.

Saturday morning and early afternoon will focus on bulding a billets up to 300 layers. Final layers will depend on the effect desired in the pattern. Later in the afternoon patterning of the billets will start. Choose from ladder, random pool and eye, cross/butterfly, twist and maiden hair or a combination in your patterning.

Sunday morning will be forging the blade. Forging damascus is harder than forging normal steel. Hitting it below the correct temperature can delaminate the billet or create flaws. Care must be take to manipulate the steel in a bright red temperature. Sunday afternoon will work the blades to grind them to a finished shape, hand polish and begin the heat treatment.

Monday will be spent etching the blades before fitting guards and handles. A final sharpen and your two knives are done.

• Cost - $1150 (incl GST)
• Cost includes: Tuition, insurance, materials, use of tools, workshop consumables, safety gear, morning and afternoon tea.
• Need to bring: Lunch, appropriate clothing and covered footwear
• Booking in advance is essential, very limited places on this course.