Cladding (for san mai and ni mai construction)
Wrought Iron or Soft Iron
Wrought iron is my main material for cladding on san mai construction.
Wrought iron has a very low carbon content and is semi fused with fibrous slag inclusions. These inclusions vary in size and usually do not cause any concern but it’s worth noting they can present themselves as small or large voids. They will decrease in size each time you sharpen/polish the blade road.
The plus with wrought iron is the contrast achieved when laying down a kasumi finish. Each piece of wrought iron is unique and finishing with water stones will result in a varied effect depending on the stone used. For a void free clean and consistent cladding please opt for the soft iron (only with blue2 water quenched option)
Handle and Saya
Current species of timber for handles
Bog Oak UK (carbon dates unknown)
Saya
Magnolia and walnet are both commonly used for saya, Magnolia in particular is widely used for good reason as it’s soft, moisture resistant and contains no resin that can react with carbon steel.
Bog oak (order on request)
Core Steel and Pattern Welded Steel (Damascus)
The majority of my knives are carbon steel based. Please read the Care Instructions to understand the additional care involved with owning a carbon steel knife.
German Tungsten Steels
1.2519 (limited) - 1.2442 (medium oil)
Japanese Tungsten Steels
Blue 1 & 2 / Aogami. water quenched or oil
W2
Differentially hardened (hamon), no forge scale semi mirror finish. (fast oil)
Damascus
Made to order, Generally 1084 and 15n20 in topography pattern.
Leather, Thread And Elastic Cord
Leather
Leather is Buttero Veg Tan from Conseria Walpier Tannery (Italy), 2mm - 2.2mm thick.
Colours available, Whisky (pictured) and Black.
Thread
Thread is Ritza Tiger (Germany), 0.6mm.
Colours available, Mid Brown, Brown, Grey, Black, Havana Cigar, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pea Green, Bordeaux
Elastic Cord