A while back I was commissioned to forge some knives from cable recovered from a decommissioned aircraft carrier that was being scrapped. The cable was 1/2" in diameter and once forged into a square bar it was folded back on itself. The first test knife didn't go so well, cable suffers from decarbonization at weld up anyway and that is magnified from small wires. The cable itself seemed lower in carbon than standard extra IPS and the first test knife wouldn't harden enough for a knife.
It was decided to forge a Go Mai billet (5 layers) to make a knife that would be usable but still carry that steel cable. With the cable I was sent 7 more blade were forged and handles of various styles were applied.
The gentleman who commissioned these is giving them to friends who served on the ship with him.
KnifeMaker
James McClendon
It was 15n20. I could have done a coffee etch and made the 15n20 really pop but that would have muted the pattern in the cable.
Kevin D said:
Nov 8, 2023
KnifeMaker
James McClendon
That anvil is a 200lb Fisher made in 1941. It was military surplus. My main, and favorite anvil.
Kevin D said:
Nov 8, 2023
Jan Carter
This is fantastic!
Nov 9, 2023