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RockBlade
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| Additional Info: | RockBlade |
| Description: |
RockBlade Knives UK has defined a level of elegance that hinges on the palette of materials and techniques that we bring to bear on each piece we create. Our work is limited only by our imaginations, and we continue to push that envelope outward with every new style we offer.
We source materials from around the world, testing and developing each for our specific applications; they must both serve both the aesthetics and function of the piece. One without the other is a failure of our vision. Superlative function, elevated to superlative art, is achieved by working with materials that are tough enough for daily use and exotic enough to surprise even the most jaded collector.
My Firm works with some of the finest artisans in the world to build each piece, and a typical knife requires more than Sixteen Weeks from concept to completion. The integration of various traditions, materials and technologies allow me to create cutlery that is elegant, distinctive and without peer in performance.
Pattern welding, commonly known as "Damascus" is a process that involves heat, sweat, time and skill. There are numerous bladesmiths today that are unable to master its intricacies and subtleties, but it is not "impossible" to do.
The pattern welding process involves an intimate knowledge of forge practice and a great deal of skill in order to get precise, beautiful and breathtaking patterns in the steel. Attention to detail, working techniques and material selection are all important pieces in the pattern welding puzzle.
A properly forged pattern welded blade is a thing of beauty and deadly purpose. Legendary in its ability to cut and "stay together", these blades are the ultimate test of the bladesmith's art. We are proud to present what have been called the "finest pattern welded blades available today".
Each blade is forged, welded and patterned by hand, and our patterns are precise and exacting. Unlike the so called "Random" laminated material offered elsewhere we look at this steel as raw material. The place where others leave off we actually consider a starting point!
The patterns we offer are varied and range from the simple, yet elegant to the intricate and mind blowing. There are literally no limits as to what can be done in steel. The patterns shwon here are but a sample, and some of these patterns haven't been done anywhere else as yet..Some of these patterns I have devlouped over the years, some are traditional, all are beautiful.
We are also proud that we can offer traditionally welded "Viking" and/or Germanic/European style composite blades using various two, three and four cored construction with steeled edges in rather complex and striking patterns. There are a handful of people alive today that are able to make these...and frankly I showed many of them how....
Blade Material ...
The materials that we use are mostly an all tool steel mix, but we have in the past, and still do on a regaulr basis use other iron/steels as well as pure nickle and meteoric iron.
Traditionally the materials employed were steel and iron, twith the only differences being the carbon and phosphorous content, along with a few other trace elements as well. While this was accpetable 500 to 1000 years ago, in today's world, there are better choices.
All blades are 100% hand forged from 1095, 1060, 5160, 1095 Electrite, L-6, 9260 and a few other steels, depending upon use and design. We use no recycled materials, only new stock to make our blades.
The steels that we use most are:
1060, 1084, 1095 is traditional and sought after American high Carbon Steel that is prized for knife blade.
5160 , 9260 , L-6/15-N-20 , O-1 , W-2 , WHC, A-2, D-2 , M-2, 1018 , A203D/E , Meteoric Iron, Pure Nickel , Wrought Iron
As well as others .
We have on a custom basis done hand smelted and refined shear steel blades welded to wrought iron as well. If we can weld it, and it has the properties we need, we can probably use it!
Choosing the right material combinations is of utmost importance in pattern welding. We choose our material combinations with cutting ability as the first consideration and then contrast/pattern as a secondary element. Traditionally, this material was made from high carbon and low carbon steels/irons. While this combination mades a very good 500 plus years ago, and while it is still in use today, we we feel that the modern alloys open an entirely new aspect to pattern welding.
The use of high nickel/high chrome content medium and high carbon steels can produce vibrant and very striking patterns and contrasts without sacrificing any cutting ability. But the use of these materials can require a great deal of skill...much more than the traditional high/low carbon combinations. One must remember that no matter what materials you are using in the combination, if it will not "stand on its own" as a blade steel, it will not make a superior pattern welded blade. However, there is one exception to this rule and that is in the composite method of blade construction. This technique can allow the use of higher alloy steels that would be otherwise unsuitable for a sword to be used to the material's full effect (Please see our composite section for more information on this below)
I personally feel that this material can out cut a homogenous material blade of the same materials due to the fact that you will get a different "wear pattern" on the edge resulting in a "saw tooth" effect to the edge. Now there is a great deal of controversy on this and excellent arguements are being made on both sides but I feel that properly forged and thermally treated pattern welded blades are some of the finest that are available.
Granted, these are expensive due to the time and effort they take but to the conisuer of this art form these are the epitomy of the bladesmithing arts.
Hardness ...
This steel attains a hardness of HRC 57-60 Rockwell C Scale.
excellent by any standards, at the cutting edge.
" ... Children and Knives Don't Mix |
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