San Mai Billet: 1084 (SK5) With Damascus Cladding

San Mai Steel Billet for Knife Making: Carbon Steel Core with Stainless Damascus Cladding

These billets consist of a core of SK5 (Japanese version of 1084) clad in 67 layers of stainless steel damascus for a stunning contrast when etched after grinding.

These billets make a stunning knife with damascus cladding and jet black edge.

Why use San mai of 1084/SK5 with stainless?

• heat treats as easily as normal 1084
• side steel / damascus cladding develop pattern when etched in hydrochloric acid
• core steel then etches jet black in instant coffee
• solid, trusty carbon steel edge with "bling" sides

"SK5" is a Japanese-developed version of 1084, here made by SANWA Specialty Steel in China. SANWA is the brand of Dr. Iida Yasutaka, using Japanese techniques in China for lower production costs while maintaining a quality product.

These billets consist of SK5/1084 carbon steel in the core, laminated in approx 67 layers of  stainless steel damascus that grinds and sands easy.

Size is approx 3 x 53 x 600 mm, weight approx 750 grams.

Heat treatment:

• Hold at 820-830 C for 5-10 min, slightly hotter than plain 1084 to account for cladding material slowing cooling rate.
• Quench in medium-speed quench oil (or Canola oil)
• Temper straight away 200 C for 2 hours x 2 times

Process:

• Profile the blade
• Do not grind bevels at all as cladding does not harden there is no point
• Grind corners off all around to weaken cladding's ability to pull on core steel during quench (grind off a 45 degree corner, this is enough)
• Drill any holes
• Heat treat
• Grind bevels (and hand sand or grinder finish)
• Etch in instant coffee for black core (24-48h)
• OPTIONAL: For more contrast in the stainless, do a short dip in Ferric Chloride first, then instant coffee. Without ferric chloride the stainless stays all shiny and clean. With Ferric etch there is more carbon migration showing and contrast in the stainless.

Warning: Laminated steels are not "Beginner" steels. These require more care and we will not refund steel ripped in two during the heat treatment. Be warned that these laminated steels make beautiful blades but do require extra care.