60 x 60 x 60
 
120 layers:

so this will be the outer jacket with a D2 core.  So the final layer count will be 240+1.
 
Also got around to finishing a few knives.  Posting pictures soon.

all depends on the steel.  I will have to do some homework on how to make it though.

Knife is Looking sexy Nate

knightsilver
What's the axe going to be used for?

Eh just a fun project I haven't done before. Nate got me sucked back into metal working and knife making. I like the look of a tomahawk I saw a while back but Im not a fan of the all black fascination so many have. I thought a damascus steel Tomahawk with an iron wood handle would be pretty awesome and I kinda need a new small hatchet for when I am camping/hunting. Not looking for a splitting maul, just something to cut some small brush out of the way is needed.

wow... my thread just got raped by photobucket...

nateman_doo
I think I am going to make a tomahawk myself.  as in not just yours, but make one for myself as well. 

Glad I could inspire you :)

nateman_doo
UPDATE:
updated the initial post with all the pictures that were lost.
 
I would advise against if you are on a phone without unlimited data.  Consider that a public service announcement to use your wifi ;) 
 

LOL. Thanks for the bandwidth warning.

Started using Dropbox for photo_links, Photobucket got on my last nerve....
 
 

ok... finally updated the main thread.  

Thanks!
 
I updated the main thread with about 90% of the pictures.  Just go back to page 1 and you will see them.  Welcome to the forums!  as long as Imgur doesn't pull a photobucket....
 
 
 

timbob27
Holy thats a long thread

Thread, or original post?  Either way you are correct.  Welcome to the forums!  
 
Made 2 billets of san mai O1 Jacket, D2 Core.  Should have some pictures up before the weekend is over.  This is highly experimental for me.  Working with D2 has been MOST challenging.  Why?  Cause its harder, and tougher than supermans elbow.  Also it air hardens, so if it cools too quickly it cracks, just like cooling oil quenching steels in a water.  

Wow!, I know nothing about knives but my god is it pleasent to see highly passionate people do their work :o

Still testing D2.
 
So far, it seems to have worked.

The outer jacket of O1 tool steel sits somewhere between 45 & 50 HRC, and the D2 interior skates a 65 HRC file.
 
A quick etch shows a marvelous contrast:


 
Testing out a new grinding method.  WAY better then bolting a angle grinder to my machine.
 
 
I still have to figure out a way to slow the rate of the cooling D2.  It desires a 20° drop PER HOUR from 1500° to 1000°  That is a 25 hour project.  Easy for a knifemaking temperature controlled oven, but i need to get crafty.  My thoughts are to pack the hell out of the forge with steel.  As much as I can fit, and let all of it heat up, leaving the billet in the top/middle of the forge.  My hope is the additional mass will retain the heat and cool the steel slower.
 
Taking 1 more shot at this.  wish me luck.
 
 

nice work man!  i have a bob kramer kitchen knife and always appreciate well-done damascus

Made some adjustments so it fits on the billet.

why the random hole?  Was just testing if I annealed it correctly and it was soft enough to work with.  Too many catastrophic failures as a result of process hardening has me paranoid.  Also if a HSS drill bit can go through it easily enough, then a carbide endmill will cut through it like butter.
 
Also went from a curved top, to a flat top and made some handle adjustments.  Very similar to the kitchen knife, but beefier.  Less finesse needed to wield this monster.