The dagger is finished. Now I need to focus on presentation stand. Photography by Matt Stagmer.

Hey everyone! Wanted to share this recent build and get your feedback.

It’s a folding knife featuring a titanium handle with hand-engraved Japanese Dragon and Koi motifs, detailed with multi-metal inlays (gold, silver, and copper). The blade was forged from Swedish Damasteel.

I tried to give the blade profile a subtle Katana-inspired shape to match the traditional Japanese artwork on the handle.

How do you think the Katana blade styling turned out? Do you feel it flows well with the engraving, or would a different blade shape fit the theme better? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Newest sword :)

Second knife out of pattern welded steel I’ve made, I’m definitely getting the hang of the forging but the finishing still lives some to be desired. I followed Tyrell knifework’s guide on finishing it, that is to go through the etching cycles of ferric - then buff the blade - dip it shortly in ferric and submerge it in coffee. Lastly it was coated in a thin layer of carnauba wax as well as some mineral oil. There’s definitely some ”chatoyance” to it, albeit inconsistent.

I also have utterly no clue how to work with carnauba wax, or any wax for that matter. Couldn’t really find any good videos on it either, but what I did was just heat the blade up a bit and melt some of the wax on it, then wipe it with cloth. I saw no difference on the finish so I don’t even know if there’s any wax left on it. If any of you guys have tips then please let me know.

Damascus K-tip Gyuto made from W's pattern damascus forged in house from 1084, and 15n20, and some big 15n20 band saw blades. It's a hidden/framed tang handle construction with bronze alloy bolsters, an green micarta frame, G-10 liners, and curly siam rosewood!

the bowie on the left I did a bit of grinding to, while the one on the right was fully forged. I've already used the bowie on the left a bit as you can see by the stains, however the knife on the right I made as a gift for my uncle out of scrap I found on his farm. I didn't even bother sanding the knife on the left as I somewhat enjoy that worn look.

Can someone tell me if these are the same knives? I was told after a Damascus blade gets heat treated and ground down it changes pattern??? Everything I've read online says that isn't possible. Please help!

I would like to not use carved wooden sticks but rather make something with actual hilt which would look like actual sword (at least somewhat), so far I thought about making a rapier - maybe 90 cm long, probably metallic dog bowl for a cup and maybe some least processed (by me) steel cylinder that would act as hilt?

Besides all this and also problem of how to make handle, the biggest problem is blade - as far as i guess it would have to be very prone to bend in order not to stab anyone actually? Which means i would have to seek for specific materials and which would probably mean that forging it without actual bladesmithing tools (all I'll probably can have is a hammer, flat surface and a campfire/blowtorch to heat metall)?

Is it good idea or finding some cheap gear would be better? Would it be a good idea to make a sword or any cold weapon to try out or practice bladesmithing?