Forging My First 'Cu Mai': Copper / Damascus Pattern Welded Drop Point Skinner Blacksmithing

Come along as I learn how to forge a knife with copper integrated into the blade.

#cumascus #copperdamascus #damascus

[traviscampbell]

I just attempted to do a cumai blade for my brother for his birthday. Long story short, he might get one for Christmas 🤣

[bakkenta]

Very nice narration. Many channels don’t provide adequate description for the tasks they are performing.

[selfmade]

Even though you didn't get the affect you wanted it's still a really slick looking design

[GammahDamage]

These videos give me confidence to try new techniques!

[gregwaters]

Like the way you experiment with different techniques and show the results.

[mtnbkr]

How to videos are an important part of learning, but these How NOT to videos are equally valuable. 👍

[samuraidriverx]

You are right, it's pretty much brazing and not welding.
Good learning experience and when you have got the technique down it's going to be satisfying.
Thanks for sharing.

[brysonalden]

As others have commented, I appreciate your sharing your processes, especially when they didn't work the way you wanted them to. I'm finding that some of the skills I now have as a smith are a result of screwing things up in the past and figuring out a way to do it better. And, of course, I still screw things up!

[TyrellKnifeworks]

Great to see you try this technique! When I do it I keep it right below the melting point. Around 1800F or a bit higher. Never try to forge the edge, it’ll split no matter how well it seems to be brazed together. Great video showing your attempts. 👍

[PhoenixIronworksNS]

When I make CuMai knives I keep the heat below the melting point of the copper and weld it completely closed. The weld is for 0 atmosphere more so than liquid copper. Pressure is your best friend with these so use the press not a hammer and you’ll get a better weld. Same with Damascus, prep is key. Make sure all the oils are cleaned off, i soak everything in kerosine for 2 to 3 days before I put it together. Nice knife

[troyswain]

I really appreciate all of you YouTubers content. I’ve built my own forced air forge, 2x72 belt grinder and am currently converting a log spitter into a hydraulic press.
I agree that you do not own a skill until you learn it and actually try it until success.

[xaviersonntag]

I've tried out 2 cu mai knives and did acually run into the problem of having the molten copper come out of the billet....however I learned on my second knife if you let the copper completely melt between the layers and cool then you can forge it at a lower temp knowing that it was completely fused together...thats my experience on it anyhoo....I enjoyed the video and little talk at the end...keep up the beautiful craftsmanship and can't wait for your next build!

[fireplusbirdfilms]

Thanks for sharing your learning process. It's valuable to see things that don't work out right just as it is to see stuff that does work out. I think the way the copper flowed around the final billet unevenly actually looks cool.

[russellvonastel]

I already know, this knife will be a unique and beautiful work of art

[dc]

Big fan of your videos. Been going through them at a steady rate after the algorithm dropped me on your channel. I think it's really good that you share and talk about your mistakes, because that will help others avoid making those mistakes themselves, or help them learn why they made that same mistake and learn from it.

[dsikes]

Awesome video. Keep them up. This knife looked sick. I would keep it as a show piece. I love watching the videos. I’m very interested in forging but have never tried it. I will one day give it a shot.

[Derekmoss]

Learning to forge myself and your information and technique was very helpful def earned my subscription

[bobmurray]

Another
beautiful and well crafted knife 🇺🇸

[stantilton]

It's all, learn as you go. I've made a ton of mistakes and tried to learn from each one. Cu Mai has it's, rules like most things in life. Carry on and most of all have fun.'

[kenglass]

Great starting point. Blade looks amazing with the black edge steel. Get that right and the copper will glow!
With the layered Damascus it kinda looks like an OS map of hills meeting the sea with the copper being the beach....