I ve been into blacksmithing for a little under a year now and now that i ve finally managed to make and acquire adequate tools i ve been able to really start making things my initial setup was using a small sledge hammer for an anvil and beating.
Pattern welded steel damascus steel.
According to authentic historical methods creating damascus using wootz steel is a lost art which is why pattern welding is the most common and original method of creating damascus.
Small pattern welded damascus steel kife with no power hammer.
So if you have a pattern welded damascus steel that has been acid etched it is a legitimate blade and a real damascus knife.
The seams can be welded shut and the billet dry welded.
A flux seals the joint to keep out oxygen.
Having the blocks fit together nicely will simplify the weld.
The loaf method works well for patterns or figures where no distortion is desired.
It is helpful to surround the blocks with sacrificial material like damascus or plain carbon steel.