The pattern welding shown here should not be confused with Damascus or watered steel, the mainly eastern method of steel blade manufacture. All of my pattern welded blades are constructed of layered and twisted rods. These rods are then hammer welded together side by side with the twists running in alternate directions. Once welded this gives the herringbone effect.

On to the herringbone core are welded either 1 or 2 carbon steel edges depending on the design. This combined herringbone core with hardened steel edges gives the blade pattern so typical of the best North Western European blades from the 3rd century through to the 9th century.

The hard edge surrounding coupled with the softer central core gives a very tough blade with the mechanical properties of both the hard but brittle and soft but springy metals complementing each other in the blades function.

Each blade Paul produces is acid etched after it is finished to highlight the pattern. Besides being attractive this lays bare the blades weld boundaries and makes visual inspection of the construction possible. It would give the prospective buyer information on the blades make up, its number of layers, degree of twist, number of core composites and edge depth amongst other properties. In short it forms an inbuilt guarantee of quality.

I hope you enjoy looking at these blades as much as Paul enjoys making them.