Making Damascus Steel for the First Time

In this video I use my hydraulic forging press to make Damascus steel. Damascus is a type of steel that is made by forge welding a carbon steel to a steel with nickel in it, then it can be etched in acid and the carbon steel will turn black while the nickel steel remains silver.
My website - www.paulpintoblacksmithing.com
Follow me on Instagram - / paulpinto1124
Hi my name is Paul Pinto and I’m an 18 year old maker from Connecticut. This channel will cover woodworking, metal fabrication, blacksmithing and much more! I will be posting weekly videos of my latest projects so make sure you subscribe!

[@motsisitherego3259]

truth is the modern world can only make something that looks like damascus steel, but we cant replicate the same quality.

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Ah! That's cool, just subbed this Morning after watching Jimmy's vlog and now we both publish a very similar video about making damascus for the first time. Great work man, your looks perfect!

[@ManCrafting]

Black Beard Projects I need to head over to yours. You did yours by hand right?

[@PaulPinto]

Thanks man!! I just saw yours as I was uploading my video, its so cool how you did it by hand ill have to try that soon!

[@MarkKMake]

Hey Guys! I have a question for both of you. I'm just a beginner at blacksmithing and curious about your opinions. I was watching both of your videos and realized that Paul's piece took a concave shape at the end of the piece after the hydraulic-pressing. On Black Beard Projects' video I can"t see that concave shape, or at least not that much. I was also watching an old hungarian educational video from the 1970's about mechanical blacksmithing. I will link it below. At 4:18 of the video, the narrrator explains: "If not the proper amount of pressure applied on the piece, the "pressure cones" don't close, therefore the end of the piece will take on a "beak shape" and the inner material will not be forged. With proper amount of hitting power the "pressure cones" close perfectly, the end of the material bulges" (i was trying my best to translate it) kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4OQdnyAgb5-f5Y Is it possible that with hand forging the inner material will be forged better, because you can apply more pressure on smaller part of the material than with hydraulic-pressing? BTW great video from both of you! Keep up the good work!

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Hi there, mine did too a bit when I tried to forge it sideways. I am not sure but the one Paul made looks solid and welded all the way, on mine I had to grind a lot of material that was not completely welded and had cracks on one side. Thank you :)

[@wataniarabi6095]

I am from Damascus, Syria. Love what you do!

[@ZENMASTERME1]

I live breathe and eat Damascus Steel every day!! I’ve been collecting Damascus steel items for 35 years! I have been making Damascus knives for about 10 years!! I have well over 1000 pieces! I refuse to give up just one!!! Thank you Paul for doing this video finally!!

[@PaulPinto]

Glad you liked it!!

[@Chromevulcan]

👍 Congrats 👍

[@shadowcastre]

You made it look easy! Thanks for the video...

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@killerkane1957]

Paul you looked like Shurap! You killed it Bro. Keep raising the bar!

[@PaulPinto]

Thanks man!!

[@Redtailedhawk99]

I’m just getting started into smithing myself. However I was dabbling when I was a teen all the way back in the 80’s. I was interested even earlier however. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@sgibbons77]

Just found your channel after watching Diresta's vlog - so glad I followed his suggestion to check out your channel. Been watching your videos all evening - excellent content!

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you I really appreciate it!! He’s such a good guy it was so cool of him to give me a. Shoutout

[@billbaggins]

👍 Very nice Paul. look forward to seeing the blade. Jimmy Diresta gave you a good shout out 😊

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!! He's such an awesome guy, so nice of him to do that

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Turned out great Paul! Congrats on the shout out on Jimmy's vlog too👍👍😁

[@PaulPinto]

Thanks Kyle!! He’s such a cool guy it was really nice of him to do that

[@wasanmaha6826]

beautiful

[@philipdunn7538]

Good job. Well done!

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nicely done Paul! 👍👊

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@apacifistmachinegunner669]

that giggle 😆

[@ManCrafting]

Looks amazing Paul. I got a lot of work ahead of me before I attempt this.

[@PaulPinto]

Thanks chad!! honestly if your forge can get hot enough and you build a press its really not that hard

[@ManCrafting]

Working on it. Designing it as I'm typing this. Finally settled on the components, next is designing the support structure and of course purchasing everything.

[@snytmaster3358]

yes finally! now just stack it a couple of times and twist it! when the flux is boiling on the surface you know its ready to forge.

[@PaulPinto]

👍👍👍

[@johncahill1408]

Very niceice job for your first time! Don't be afraid to cut it, stack it and draw it out! If you end up with a small piece then you make a small object. A small knife, chisel, screwdriver, etc... That's how you learn! Don't be afraid to try!!!👍👍

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@bevanwilson5642]

I use bandsaw blade from a local sawmill and rail track which is 1080 and the blade is probably 15n20 or simillar and it works well for blades and such

[@oliverworks5469]

Been waiting for you to try this! I understand the trepidation but with that nice press, I’d have already tried to pump out a few billets! Excited to see what you create with Damascus in the future!

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!! I thought it would be a lot harder that it was

[@martindesrocher4528]

@@PaulPinto kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYGbgXahmKeNi5Y

[@monolithknives931]

I interested to see other patterns your'e making. We just bought an Anyang and are making twist billets and blades. its awesome

[@dalejones4186]

Great channel. Subscribed. Jimmy Diresta mentioned you and that sent me here. Grateful he did.great job.

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!! thats awesome!

[@lenblacksmith8559]

You did well good on ya. Can't wait to see a knife done in damascus.

[@PaulPinto]

thanks Len!!

[@64t120r]

A low layer count can be very dramatic. I made a 16 layer knife blade. Dropped it in the etchant for about 20 minutes. When I polished it, there was no black left on the 1095, but the layers were etched overtly deep and looked really good. I hope your blade turned out as well.

[@nikkib2588]

Literally watching and learning how it's made🙂I have a damascus steel blade pocket knife and it has a handle that might be some type of wood and bone and black material with some brass accents on the handle and knife🙂💗I think it's a vintage piece🙂💗second hand finds🙂💗

[@Imwright720]

Im shocked as much is required that anybody does it. If I ever get to that stage I’m definitely going to buy it.

[@sam_lada]

Great video. Ive made quite some Damascus steel and I all do it by hand. You just need to get your steel hot enough.

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@marcsenteney3160]

Very nice work sir! Maybe draw it out a little more and do a simple twist and then make your blade from that. You may be surprised!

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!! Im thinking about doing that!

[@mitchelperkins6723]

Make a simple rounding hammer from it Paul. Once the fuller troughs and cheeks are drawn that simple pattern will take on a neat look. Harden in oil, and 400f° temper for about an hour. It will be pretty much as durable as a 1045 based one. I've never pressed billets, but have done some canister blanks from chain saw chain, ball bearings if various sizes and 1084 powdered steel. It welds good in the tubing. Now I need to make one large enough to do a hammer myself from some.

[@PaulPinto]

That’s a good idea I’ve always wanted to make a hammer out of Damascus. What do you think about using some 1045 with 15n20. Do you think that would be a good combination

[@mitchelperkins6723]

@@PaulPinto Not sure how much contrast you would get with that combo. Take s small piece of each steel and put them in the etch for a few minutes and see if you get a big difference in the coloring of the 2 metals. If one gets really shiny and one darkens up I guess it would make a good combo.

[@toMrT]

Awsome! Do you know what your are going to do whit the billet?

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!! Im going to be making a knife

[@jasonnichols545]

The easiest way for me to tell temp is if the flux is smoking. If you would have drawn it out further you would have had less waste.

[@incisional2243]

I am new to making damascus. What is the white powder substance he puts on the bar of steel while its hot?

[@aaronfowler5477]

Do you have a different website now or something? I tried clicking on it but it says no domain.

[@KevinSmith-gh5ze]

I was wondering if Damascus could be done on a press or if the steel would cool too fast.

[@eli1011]

I was just about to comment this

[@aidanpage5664]

Wheat did you buy your 15n20? I can't find it anywhere!

[@PaulPinto]

Texas knife supplies

[@philipwarren7335]

Finally an interesting blacksmith channel, I had to give up on Alec Steele , keep up the great work

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@mitchelperkins6723]

I stopped watching Alec too. All the showmanship and freaky editing might be fine for views, especially from the younger folks who never have done any smithing work, but to me it detracts from the learning part of it. And pattern welded steel is cool looking, no better quality as far as blades are concerned than one made from 1080, O1, or any other good blade steel. His channel seems to have e become "All things Damascus". Alec is talented no doubt, and is making his living doing videos. I just prefer to watch olain old work being done, and a little simple music is fine. Paul does a great job with his work, and has a great skill set building up. I've been a metal guy for 40+ years, blacksmith now for 5. I make mostly tools for other smiths, and teach tool making one on one. Great job Paul!!! Keep it simple young man, let the work soeak for I, you don't need all the drama stuff messing up what is a great channel!!

[@harrykt6846]

same here

[@joelpugsley3697]

He stole the intro from Alec Steele

[@forgingtv4625]

Mitchel Perkins I am one of those young folks but I do actual metal work and Alec Steele is how I am learning to make Damascus

[@stokermeister3]

What’s the best thing to use to neutralise the ferric after etching to show the pattern 🤔

[@thegarageforge9907]

The best things is a high amount of baking soda in some water to neutralize the acid

[@azeemrana6024]

What did you sprinkled on hot steel?

[@kirka127]

Diresta sent me. looks good.

[@PaulPinto]

Thank you!!

[@gearhartiron]

Just a suggestion...buy Whitney Potter's book on gas forge control on Amazon. About $25. Weld around 2315f and never use flux again.

[@petricapierre638]

What s that powder you put onto??? Thanks

[@logangore3687]

What is the powder you spread on the metal to prevent oxygen bubbles

[@kmalnasef1512]

you could use old steel cable strand wire to produce this thing.

[@randycastro8512]

Can you make Damascus steel using a stick welding?

[@j.ribasfacascuston5617]

Quantos CV é o motor da prensa?

[@ragingagent5040]

Can you save a brick of Damascus like that and use it later to make a knife or something?

[@akbarsingkut5030]

Hi, my friend from Indonesia, do you sell ready-made materials, even a patch is made 

[@tuanvandersluis4433]

is it 1025 steel & 1020?

[@kaswanisholeh7016]

Klo di Indonesia, Pesan dimana pisau Damascus khusus u potong ngiris daging... ? I am in Indonesia, if the message can already be focused specifically on where to cut meat...?

[@khuzairitukangkayu5051]

Why need to put powder and what powder is that

[@thenuthouse4707]

Where do I buy anti-borax

[@ahog5421]

can you make a sword with red damascus steel?

[@RekzysTheTitan]

is it weird that I think of mac miller when I watch these videos?

[@RekzysTheTitan]

josh major perhaps Mac miller faked his death and became a KZbinr

[@magnusjohansson1720]

please turn thr music of and lets hear the machines work.. Wery god video, but cut the music

[@Fogyt121]

Be warned-borax eats forge lining

[@RekzysTheTitan]

no, I eat forge lining.

[@MarcosAntonio-qi9cp]

Firts damascus steel whit hidraulic hammer? WTF

[@drconarhopee838]

что то слабовато пресс давит

[@ronanrogers4127]

A little too much talk and not enough music

[@vr7099]

Детский сад

[@user-tk1mp6yl6l]

Где? У Вас?

[@vr7099]

И ответ детский

[@user-tk1mp6yl6l]

Спасибо за самокритику!)

[@vr7099]

Вам бы то же не помешала самокритика. Выдаете себя за Paul из Коннектикута с чужим видео )) А в итоге Андрей ))

[@user-tk1mp6yl6l]

@@vr7099 Можно угадаю? Вам где-то под 50 и вы утратили смысл жизни? Не пойму зачем писать под видео такие негативные коментарии на подобии вашего? Ещё один написал wasting time... Вы поймите, автору наверняка неприятно от таких пустых заявлений, которые вы и подобные вам пишут... Напишите лучше по делу:" то и то можно было сделать так-то и так." "Если использовать другой инструмент, можно улучшить качетво работы." Или, если тот станок поставить туда-то, повыситься ефективность вашей мастерской" А так ваши слова - пустой звон, как говориться: "собаки лают, а караван идет".

[@mesaralbujeyash6976]

wast of time

[@mytoolz]

With a last name like Pinto, what could go wrong..