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Had some fun making my own damascus recently, I'll soon be selling knives using it, or billets if anyone wants to make their own. This is some random pattern and some ladder pattern, both 720 layers. I think more experimentation might be needed with ladder, but I'm pretty happy with the random!

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Making a chef knife from my damascus. Slight miscalculation has meant 864 layers on this one. HT tomorrow, it's only at 60 grit right now so the pattern isn't popping out, but it looks quite nice.

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Lovely! Were you shooting for a thousand plus? Two steels in the Damascus or more?

I was shooting for 720. Unfortunately my 144 times table is a little rusty. 1080 and 15N20 in it. I got it heat treated today, doing some more grinding on it tomorrow to hopefully get a good look at the pattern.
 
Thanks Caleb. As I was laying it out I wondered if it was too much, but pressed on anyway. I’m glad I did. You’re right, there’s a lot going on, but I don’t feel like any one part detracts from another. Others may feel differently of course. I have more of this steel and will probably try for a simpler look on the next one.
 
Just found this thread. Very impressive work. That last one has a ton going on but at the same time when you step back and look at the whole nothing is in your face. I really like it. Keep up the great work!
 
At the minute the nakiri is just a blank, but I should definitely work on it next. In the meantime, here's two petties that are awaiting handles. Both 720 layers, I like the organic feel that it gives the ladder pattern, not sure it adds much for raindrop.

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I agree on the ladder. Both are really nice but the ladder just has the look.
 
One vote for the raindrop! I find myself much more interested in it visually, with the high contrast areas interspersed throughout.
 
I really like the high layer on both patterns. It makes them both look more trippy. Very nice!
 
Thanks Caleb. As I was laying it out I wondered if it was too much, but pressed on anyway. I’m glad I did. You’re right, there’s a lot going on, but I don’t feel like any one part detracts from another. Others may feel differently of course. I have more of this steel and will probably try for a simpler look on the next one.

I think it’s actually a nice touch. There are enough and more plain pieces out there. I don’t think it’s too far OTT, and different means it resonates stronger with some people aesthetically really liking the mosaic ferrule.
 
I got a new toy for the shop, courtesy of the british govt. and their very helpful grants for small businesses during the pandemic.

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And also tried some lower layer ladder, just 222 layers in this one. I like it, but not as much as the high layer one.

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I put a handle on the ladder pattern knife and also tried a hamon on some blue #2. I got the wood for the handles from a member here, @ForeverLearning look him up if you want some nice blanks. The poplar on the ladder gyuto is particularly spectacular. The ladder gyuto is my first attempt at a western style handle, definitely more of a challenge than a wa handle.

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Very nice! What are the handle materials and blade dimensions? The angle of the first pic makes it look a mile long.
 
Very nice! What are the handle materials and blade dimensions? The angle of the first pic makes it look a mile long.

Haha, it does look ridiculously long. It's actually not outrageous (by our standards). It's 50mm tall and 258mm long. Handle is walnut, nickel silver, red dyed maple, and buckeye burl. The guy is making noises about a set of steak knives to match, same handles and damasteel blades.
 
In general, I'm not a fan of Damascus, but man, you might convert me with those ladders. I do love a good "look at me" handle, so you've got that well-covered also 🙃

It's great looking at older threads and seeing the changes over time, it's a good reminder.
 
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