Making A Stainless Steel San Mai Bushcraft Knife

This knife is made by forge welding a billet of 304 stainless with 52100 high carbon steel sandwiched in between.

The resulting knife will have a higher level of toughness because the stainless steel remains more ductile. Additionally, the stainless steel provides corrosion resistance qualities to the majority of the blade.

Finally, the resulting forge weld line that's visible between the stainless and high carbon steels adds a visually appealing quality to the blade when polished and etched in ferric chloride.

Finished up with dyed and stabilized arctic curly birch handle scales, this one of a kind blade is an heirloom quality knife that can be passed down and enjoyed for generations.

#sanmai #bushcraft #blacksmith #knife

[danhunik]

It is always refreshing to see a channel that does not drown all the sounds of a man at work with elevator music in the background.

[erikcourtney]

That’s one combo I’ve been skeptical of trying due to the chromium content in both steels. I’ve only used 1095, w2, and 1084 with stainless. Thanks for being the Guinea pig 😉 .

[wayneward]

I'm still a newbie, but I am learning by watching all the different techniques that I see here.

[bjslater]

While I'm not a huge fan of the handle, the blade as always is quite gorgeous.

[MB-lrfp]

Very impressive. I like the handle material. Someone will be very lucky to own that one

[krissteel]

Really impressed on a lot of levels, definitely a power hammer only kind of job unless you've got 2-3 strikers with sledgehammers hidden somewhere. The old 304, it doesn't like moving much

[JustinMiales]

You do a great work but a word to the wise, take your jewelry off before starting work you can put it on when you're done👍

[swissman]

I understand so much more about your processes after your metalurgy Monday. Great video!

[eidontkehr]

the first time i have seen you without a hat.

[justingoodman]

Great build! I wasn’t into the scale material at first but it looked great when finished. I have something similar planned because I got some free stainless. Thanks for sharing

[bdwillis]

Beautiful knife. Didn’t know you mix and match steel like that. Are there any steels that don’t play well with others?

[فيصلالوزان-حم]

I like the painting on the background❤👍

[aaronkreger]

Awesome as always!! Never disappointed in your craftsmanship!!

[Triumph]

I just did a fighter with a 80CRV2 core clad in 304SS and it was a giant pain in the ass because it’s barely magnetic making it hard to clean and process. Sure looks amazing though!

[jwstex]

First Time. That's pretty badass dude. Bravo.

[MASI_forging]

Great work dude. I always amazed to watch 👍👍

[imranbashir]

I really love your forging videos, but I particularly enjoyed the old videos where you narrated along the way so I could understand what you were doing and why. Will you go back to that format in the future? It set you apart from other forging channels. Have a great day!

[TL-rf]

That is a nice blade. What was that you sprayed on each steel before clamping and after welding together? Amazing you forge welded stainless steel to high carbon but you did it quickly several times to limit oxygen I think.

[michaelh]

Beautiful. I love the blue handle. I didn’t see it on your website, was it already sold?

[cNq]

I've seen a guy feeding some gas into the forging when working with stainless.
Your blade turned out rather well without it... 👍