Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2012 6:51:15 GMT
I am thinking about a Damascus Guardian and Custom Guardian Dagger from Darkword Armories. (guardian dagger doesn't have a damascus option)
I have a crap load of questions. First, does the pattern go all the way through the sword? From what I understand, they dip the sword in acid, which shows the different patterns. If that is so, than wouldn't sharpening, scratches, or polishing (using sandpaper, or steel wool, etc) take off the pattern?
Second, SBG says that damascus has a much higher chance of having a critical defect in it. What are the chances of that? I mean DSA probably doesn't get too many orders for damascus, so do you think they are experianced enough to avoid that?
Next, DSA says they use 6 different types of steel, and folds them 8 times. How many layers would that be? I've read somewhere that calculating layers in blacksmithing is different than normal. (IDK, maybe i'm just stupid)
Lastly, is there a way to havve the crossguard an pommel damascus too?
Thanks For Any Help
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 4, 2012 7:37:55 GMT
I know a few people who have gotten folded blades from DSA, and all had some flaws. Not fatal, but annoying just the same. the pattern should go all the way through, but the surface pattern will fade with use regardless of what method is used to bring it out.
Lets see how many layers I can count. My skills in mathematics are a farce, so bear with me. This may come out wrong.
1. 6 layers folded once=12 2. 12 layers=24 3. 24=48 4. 48=96 5. 96=192 6. 192=384 7. 384=768 8. 768=1536 layers.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2012 7:49:09 GMT
How is the surface pattern different from the rest? Is it just a different pattern?
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 4, 2012 7:55:01 GMT
I'd think that the pattern would shift ever so slightly inward as the geometry changes with tons of polishing(I'm talking a lot of polishing). But the surface pattern will fade as the etchant is wiped off, either during cutting or polishing. The big contrasts you see are from the different steel types reacting to the etchant, be that a paste, stone, acid, ect. Some types get lighter, some darker. That is the pattern you see.
Be sure to clarify if I'm not answering clearly, and forgive any late replies. The forum is really acting up on me, and it takes a very long time for any of my posts to load.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2012 8:47:39 GMT
HAHA, man I feel for you. The forum is being so slow, I could barely log in! Thanks for the answers!
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jhart06
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Slowly coming back from the depths...
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Post by jhart06 on Dec 5, 2012 15:26:03 GMT
No offense to DSA, but given the recent track record of shoddy work on customs, and just in general their quality on even standard production blades, I would *not* recommend them in any form for a pattern welded blade. The complexities involved in doing such an operation, and doing it right, are beyond wherever DSA gets/makes their blades from/at, and this is opinion based on consistent review and feedback from this forum.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2012 19:22:33 GMT
okay, well I was going to drop the idea of the damascus guardian, and instead go with a normal carbon steel nomad, and a proposed custom nomad dagger. (there isn't a matching dagger yet) You say the quality of cutom work can be bad, do you think that the quality of the custom dagger would be bad? I've heard some GREAT things about DSA, and apparently they sucked before, but corrected 99% of their problems...
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Dec 9, 2012 6:26:03 GMT
So here is a thought for you. If you're set on some form of patternwelded blade...buy a cheap knife from ebay. Abuse it...polish it...re etch it...fold spindle and mutilate it. While this is going on continue your research. I say this because it buys you time to be SURE you want that type of steel. IMO it needs more care than plain steel but can be far more beautiful. I'm not knocking anyone craftsmanship, just advising a measured decision if you want to pay the exttra for that type of steel.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Dec 10, 2012 1:37:42 GMT
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Dec 10, 2012 3:33:06 GMT
Oh...and there are tutorials on how to make patterns in steel with colored clay. Great fun and will give you insight on how patterns work. Just because it looks one way on top does not mean it won't change as you remove material etc.
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