The General Blacksmith by Malcolm Paine has just been released in Western Australia and I can truly recommend it to any knife maker thinking of turning to the dark side and forging blades.
From Friday, 25 April 2008 - 19:00 To Sunday, 27 April 2008 - 16:00 Every day
This
intensive weekend course is an introduction to 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 to make the
welds and draw down the billets.
You
will make two billets and two forged blades to keep and finish
into knives. The billets will allow you to make a number of other
knives in the future.
Location: Tharwa Valley Forge Contact: Karim Haddad
This course introduces the concept of forge welding cable to create patterns in the steel. This not only makes attractive blades, but also a very tough, flexible blade that keeps a great edge. This process is called "pattern welding" or sometimes "Damascus" after the city which made the process famous.
The finished blade is then etched in acid to bring out the patterns of the different parts of the cable - often with dramatic results.
This course introduces the concept of forge welding cable to create patterns in the steel. This not only makes attractive blades, but also a very tough, flexible blade that keeps a great edge. This process is called "pattern welding" or sometimes "Damascus" after the city which made the process famous.
