knives

"Damascus" or pattern welding involves firewelding together several layers of different metals (normally tool steel, mild
steel and or wrought iron) into a solid billet. Typically this billet is then drawn out to twice it's length, cut in half, then
the two halves welded on top of one another. This process is repeated until the desired number of layers is achieved.
(on these examples, between 80 and 300 layers). A range of procedures can then be employed to manipulate the
pattern. Grinding and polishing is then followed by etching with acid to bring the pattern out. It takes a lot of time, and
a lot of effort. During each welding process a proportion of the billet is lost to the fire, so you have to start with a
considerably larger lump than you need to finish with! Another way of creating an interesting pattern is welding
together steel cable or chain.