How To Forge Pattern Welded Damascus Steel For Beginners ~ Step By Step Blacksmithing Lesson

Step by step guide to forging Damascus (pattern welded) steel in a propane forge by hand for beginners. This video covers:
Terminology and history
Steel selection and billet prep
Gas forge prep
Use of flux
And more!
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[@rondangeli4175]

Best explanation of the process I've seen or read; your hat has delaminations.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks! Haha, yes it does

[@michaelt2925]

Extremely useful information throughout the entire video thanks for all the knowledge my friend

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@theriversexperience9383]

Man, You just helped me understand so much of what went wrong on my first forge welded billets. This is a video is a must watch for anyone wanting to forge weld.

[@theriversexperience9383]

I'm gonna give you a shout out on my channel, this video deserves way more views than it has. Hopefully it gets you some more traffic as well.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@transmutewithme4583]

This is easily the most detailed explanation of how to forge weld a billet of Damascus I have ever seen. Thank you!

[@FireCreekForge]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@sronnau99]

Dude!!! That piece at the tip helped you hold you the blade in place!!!! FREAKIN SMART!!!

[@caleblandry1780]

Amazing explanation man I’ve been blacksmithing for months and can do just bout everything I tried from forge welds,firepower’s axes,hachets,a sword & few tools like drawblades etc and lots of wrought iorn work but Damascus is something I’ve never got into cause I couldn’t find any good videos explaining gonna try it now sure it will make a beautiful addition to my shop items once I get it good

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, glad it is helpful

[@kenglass1980]

Ace...... Thanks for the in depth descriptions and advice..... Makes sense of what I've watched in other videos and gives me the confidence to give it a bash! Thanks

[@FireCreekForge]

You bet, thanks!

[@TheJbrantl]

Thank you so much, this video has given me new hope in one day being able to forge weld, you make it look easy, and your explanation is so easy to follow that I feel much more confident about this type of project

[@FireCreekForge]

Glad it helped!

[@trkrieger1478]

Very helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to shop us beginners how it's done and why you do each strp

[@rscottmccoy]

I've been trying to forge weld in my gas forge without success. I've watched many videos about the technique but none have gone into this much detail on the flame and how to set my forge. As a beginner, this crucial information. Thank you.

[@FireCreekForge]

Glad I could help

[@lostmypicks]

This was great man. I've seen many videos on it but you touched areas I haven't heard. I am for sure closing off some of the air next time I'm try it. Thanks 👍

[@FireCreekForge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@col925]

Another great video with good instruction and close up detail well done I think you’ve upped the game in you tube videos

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@nateand3]

Great video man. You do a great job of putting the process into words

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching

[@sronnau99]

Your diagram on the anvil to force out the flux was awesome! Thank you for that! I was just wondering about that! Also describing the packing process vs the setting hammer blows was very helpful!!!

[@TyrellKnifeworks]

Great video with lots of instruction and info, well done! On heating an Anvil, WJ Blades just did a cool video of a propane heater for a striking anvil for making Damascus, which is a cool idea.

[@FireCreekForge]

Cool! Thanks for watching!

[@bigernbladesmith]

There are sources that called pattern-welded steel "damascus" since the 1700's. So calling pattern welded steel damascus has been and industry standard for a few hundred years. I personally tend to call pattern welded steel damascus and the historic crucible steel wootz. I do get corrected and lots of hate, but I don't care most people know what I'm talking about when I call them what I call them. I just remind people that call me out that they have probably used the word "cool" incorrectly several times in their lifetime.

[@FireCreekForge]

Agreed! Good point, and thanks for watching!

[@williamchase5698]

Nice work brother

[@Aleeknives]

Wow, I was impressed with all of the amazing content you packed into this video! I almost never watch an entire video but you kept me for almost an hour! Well done man!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@sronnau99]

This is exactly what I was thinking!!!

[@ashleycarey3190]

In the new year I'm going to start blladesmithing with 1 day hoping to create damascus steel . 1 question is what type of welder do I need to weld up the billets? Could I use flux core weld ?

[@milkytoast6245]

yes that would work

[@brandonsanders2339]

Dude, you are killing me. There is no word "oxidization." It is just "oxidation."

[@FireCreekForge]

Yes, there is, means the same thing.

[@mikker32]

Experience is a good but can be an expensive learner

[@erikcourtney1834]

Dang I need some of what you got. Big pile of 15n20 over in the corner. I can’t find any blades in my area nor online. Buying & shipping it in 3ft lengths and 1.5” wide threw the mail sucks. Let alone its super thin or limited stock. Great video for the new guys aswell. Always great to see another go full time for their self successfully.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@martinholloway7694]

Loads of useful content in this video. I especially appreciated that you included the small error in the billet and how you fixed it. Video takes a long time to shoot and edit, so I thank you for making this content. Great job!!!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@alkinkade]

Thnx for the tutorial on how to use and do the Wondermus thing you do.... I don't think my neighbors would appreciate the noise... LOL I live in a condo.... Thnx Again

[@stokermeister3]

What would a person do if they use a coal forge instead of a gas forge 🤔🤔🤔

[@FireCreekForge]

The procedures are you he same, managing the coal forge is a little different, such as getting even heat, fire atmosphere, etc..

[@kinardoutdoortv873]

What’s up brother just got my first power hammer lol took me 6 years but got one now

[@FireCreekForge]

That's awesome, I want to get one too some day

[@kinardoutdoortv873]

@@FireCreekForge yeah I went down to Florida to get mine it’s a home built one but it works good lol

[@michaelsingfield6395]

Extremely well done Video! You are very good at explaining the Damascus process. Thank You! Iam a novice Blacksmith, looking to make Damascus. Do you have a Facebook page? Is there a way to ask you questions that I might have?

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks! If you want to get in touch, the email contact form on my website is best; firecreekforge.com

[@michaelsingfield6395]

@@FireCreekForge great! I appreciate that.

[@opa_plays_mw5318]

I don't flux, it destroys the bricks. I weld all the way around sealing every gap, then bandsaw it off. Then again, I've only done a couple san mai's. (2 months in to the hobby).

[@bradymcphail9690]

Excellent! Do you know of any literature that details how to make specific designs of Damascus? such as: step by step directions for Feather Dsmascus etc...

[@beatlebomber]

Look up Jim Hrisoulas. He has three books out and one he is working on.

[@bradymcphail9690]

@@beatlebomber thank you very much.

[@dannyhernandez6189]

What type of welding rod are you using? Thanks for your video, it made a lot easier to understand.

[@FireCreekForge]

It is 6013 rod. Thanks for watching!

[@steveschlobohm5793]

I don't think I even have one question after watching that! kinda strange huh? Well done Elijah! it looks like I should send you a new hat from my company! that one has a few miles on it. Stay safe my friend!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks Steve! You'll be happy to know i was forging the Damascus for your knife at the same time, but of course using the press since it started as a 21 layer billet.

[@steveschlobohm5793]

@@FireCreekForge That's awesome Elijah, I can't wait to get it in my hands.

[@tullydj2]

Excellent video. What PSI do you run on forge when welding?

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks! Typically I run it 15-20psi for welding

[@tullydj2]

@@FireCreekForge Thank you.

[@stokermeister3]

Is it better to forge weld Damascus in a gas forge or coal forge ?

[@sronnau99]

Good question! I have heard both ways. I would love to his response!

[@rplanet_ua]

I have a problem that I don't know how to solve. I use a coal forge and because of this I can’t properly monitor the temperature of the workpiece, because it is in the coals. When I want to do forge welding, my workpiece either melts into liquid metal or I don’t heat it enough and it oxidizes.

[@FireCreekForge]

You'll have to monitor it better, so keeping it a little more visible and not so deep in the fire may help. Also, frequently rotating the billet for even heating is going to be important in a coal or charcoal forge.

[@taisidarvid1759]

This is the best video I’ve seen on how to forge weld. Thank you so much. I’m in the UK and with your knowledge I’m well on my way to improving as a novice forger. 👍🏼🤜🏼

[@FireCreekForge]

Great to hear it helped, thanks for watching!

[@natedawg9404]

One of the best and most informative videos I've seen. Wish I had found it earlier. Great job. Keep it up bro.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@DavidEricWilliams]

Wow - that's a master class in knife-smithing.

[@edgarrolla6748]

Thanks for the explanations in the beginning of the video. Very informative.

[@gaylecoombs5510]

Thanks for all the amazing info in this video sir im semi new to knife making and would like to try my hand at it. Im not sure if i missed it in the video but when your starting off with your pieces of steel how thick are you buying your steel that you then stack up to make your billet? Im doing everything by hand right now. Also im pretty limited on space with my forge, right now i have the atlas tool knifemaker i think its like a 2" or 2.5" diameter hole that im able to use but according to the website it will reach forge welding temps so i guess ill find out

[@FireCreekForge]

@@gaylecoombs5510 1/8" is a good thickness. Thanks for watching!

[@andrewneilson227]

Fantastic tutori ....Very useful!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank for watching!

[@joshyingling]

You can soak the steel in acid over night to remove that scale as well

[@daveprototype6079]

Great video New subscriber Cheers

[@danielclawson2143]

What a timely video. I just finished this semester and was going to try to make some Damascus when I checked YT and you had just posted the video. Great job and thanks for all the info that I just learned.

[@FireCreekForge]

You bet, thanks Daniel

[@justinknibbs2839]

Thanks for the awesome video. I’m trying to forge my first Damascus billet and after a couple of failures I was thinking of giving up. All this info has given me hope though, back to the forge for me.

[@FireCreekForge]

Awesome, glad I can help, keep at it!

[@tjacoby]

This is such a great video. Your patience explaining even the simplest of details got me hooked till the end.

[@klint68ss]

Amazing video, I'm dieing to see the finished product.

[@JasonGraven]

How do you forge weld without using a modern welder to tack it together?

[@FireCreekForge]

You can use wire to hold it together and I've heard of guys using stainless steel hose clamps

[@johnenglish1710]

Excellent and accurate.

[@amaze646]

That is what I call shared knowledge. Thank you and respect.

[@evanstewart8426]

Excellent instructional video. Appreciate the step-by-step narrative. Thanks.

[@miceskin]

How do you achieve a carborized flame in a coke/coal forge?

[@FireCreekForge]

Air control, plus placement in the fire is important; not too close to the air supply

[@michaelsingfield6395]

I have watched many a video on Damascus and this is hands down the most articulate, informative video. Thank You!

[@FireCreekForge]

You bet, thanks for watching!

[@blackhammerartisan]

good stuff

[@kirakirakira]

I don't even make knives but I was so into this video I watched the whole thing! Nice work!

[@Headliner99]

Absolutely awesome information for forge welding a billet…I watched this video twice. Thank you for taking the time to make it! 🐋

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@davidshankland]

Any recommendation on the 15N20 thickness compared to the 1095?

[@FireCreekForge]

I typically use 15N20 that's about .075" to .090" with my non nickel steel being 1/8" inch thick.

[@davidshankland]

@@FireCreekForge thanks! 🙏

[@meadeshireforge]

This was the exact video I was looking for. Awesome job breaking that down, terrific foundational knowledge here!

[@jasonscott7803]

Very informative, explained well, great content.👍✌️

[@Curtis86]

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us. So many of the blacksmiths don't tell you how, they just show a speed through of the build. I've jumped straight into the fire attempting to forge weld. I've had two failures so far. So, I had to step back and punt. I started making mono steel knives but they are only so entertaining. With the newly acquired knowledge that you provided, I may be ready to give it another go.

[@OfficialProjectSMP]

think about using TIG instead of stick; stick welding is extremely dirty

[@alanwalker6708]

Sparks from your forge is not dragons breath. Dragons breath is excess flame emitting from the forge in a near billow, this indicates a rich running forge.

[@mattgreef1676]

Thank you for this mate big help mentioning the jet engine

[@TroubledOnePaydirt]

Wouldn’t have been easier to grind clean the steel before chopping it up into little pieces?

[@ed.sol.crafts]

Great video! Very educational!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@rcarvalhocutelariaartesana7087]

Would not be easier clean the steel before you cut it?

[@kennethgriffin6898]

Thanks for making this video man very helpful and informative, I've watched a few videos and this by far was most helpful. I'm about to try my first forge well def be using some of the info you provided. Thanks 👍

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@rhodesoflife]

Lol watched the whole video ... But didn't see the finished product 🤦🤦😂

[@brianlogan9686]

I'm learning so much, appreciate you sharing your knowledge, love your stuff, Thank you buddy!! I feel like I'm taking a class!

[@FireCreekForge]

You bet!

[@AaronJohnson1979]

I saved this video its great step by step thank u i needed this

[@FireCreekForge]

Good deal!

[@alfannon]

The term youre looking for? Wootz.........

[@clayveldkamp6739]

Phenomenal tutorial. This helped correct several of my issues. Thank you so much!

[@FireCreekForge]

Awesome thanks!

[@PBblacksmithing]

Where do I get a forge like the one you used in this video?

[@brianfalls5894]

Many thanks for a very informative video here sir. You definitely put out a truck load of info here. You sir are a good teacher. Well done!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful!

[@hddm3]

Very nice presentation

[@david-k6i6b]

how many layers do you use for rain drop pattern

[@Bryan-ge7ix]

Your video is excellent but why is it so hard to find a how to thatjustgets to the point

[@TheDarthSoldier]

It's not Damascus steel. It's folded steel. Stop using the term Damascus

[@FireCreekForge]

Patterned steel has been called "Damascene" or "Damascus" steel for centuries. I'm not here to change that.

[@Bryan-ge7ix]

You talk to much get to the point

[@godzillamastemagner2847]

I'm not trying to be rude but you keep repeating yourself

[@mandersonpersonal1571]

This is true, but I actually appreciate his repetition because it helps hammer the points home (pun absolutely intended!). As a beginner, I often need reminders of key points to keep them in my head.

[@janikumlander1822]

You need to buy new cap 😂

[@viperclanz6812]

just get to forging dudde jeeze

[@ameliatravis3951]

Bro he disclosed in the beginning of the video this was for people who dont know anything about how to forge weld Guess what you have thumbs and a skip option on the video skip the educational part and watch the forging jeez

[@Bryan-ge7ix]

🥱😴😴

[@finalaccuracy7695]

Great video!

[@finalaccuracy7695]

I have decided to learn to make my own knives. I found this video and went, "Hey, I worked with that guy!" 🤣

[@jorgecamejo9688]

Muy denso y aburrido

[@jasonparow4119]

OH MY GOD HE TALKS SO MUCH🤦‍♂️

[@FireCreekForge]

It's an instructional video...

[@Azarathification]

@@FireCreekForge You need to mime it of course...

[@patrickfowler2764]

Very new to this and your video along with others have helped me tremendously! There is one thing that is missing though, the thickness of the two different steels. I did hear you say that the 1094 was 3/16", so by looking at the stacks you had and the 15N20 being half as tall, I am assuming that they are 1/8"? And is this important that they are different thicknesses?