How to Use Rebar for Damascus Steel

How to Use Rebar for Damascus Steel
Written By
James Croxon
James Croxon
Published: Jan 12, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Step 1

Cut the rebar into manageable sections and sort it according to diameter and straightness. Straighten bent pieces if needed.

Step 2

Place the rebar into the forge, heat it and hammer it flat to produce bar-shaped pieces that are easier to stack.

Step 3

Stack the flattened rebar with alternating layers of high carbon and stainless steel. Sprinkle Borax between the layers to act as flux and help ensure an even weld.

Step 4

Weld the stack of steel together and place in the forge. Bring the stack to a cherry red or bright red heat and maintain it for five to 10 minutes to ensure uniform heating.

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Step 5

Hammer the heated stack flat. Cut it, cool it and grind off the forge residue.

Step 6

Stack the two cut pieces with borax sandwiched between and re-heat in the forge. Hammer, cool, cut and grind. Repeat the process a total of three times.

Step 7

Forge the final block of steel into a bar shape for later use or forge into the final shape.

Photo Credits

push dagger image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com

James Croxon

Writer, photographer and world traveler James Croxon is a jack of all trades. He began writing in 1998 for the University of Michigan's "The Michigan Times." His work has appeared in the "Toronto Sun" and on defenselink.com and…

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