Making A Damascus Knife From Copper Ball Bearings
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
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Experiments are the foundation for amazing things. I love the ideas here and your approach. I plan on getting into Damascus experiments myself soon. I don't have a Kiln / Oven yet, but I have one incoming, so soon I hope to be able to not only heat treat more steel better, but do this very same thing. Good stuff man, keep up the great work!
I really like that you show your mistakes. It makes the videos real and relatable
We all make mistakes. Even the knife makers that dont show it never get it down on the first try.
JP, I really like your thought process. This is how great pieces of art come about. You may consider this knife a "fail", but it's a step in the process that will yield a great knife in the future. Love your channels. Thanks.
You gotta crack some eggs to make an omelet. I expect to fail a few times. If the edge was straight i would have considered it a winner but the core steel was all over the place for some reason.
That's true too
Yes! Finally made a copper Damascus. Awesome to see it. My favorite look from a Damascus knife.
I have tons of copper damascus on my channel. I do them quite frquently.
Consider this your humility piece, we artists always get a piece to remind us to be humble
This is the best part of my Sunday!!!! Not some football game with teams I don’t care about but JP rocking some new content!!!!!
Your going to make me blush bud 🫡
Pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper. This won't help with powder, but could make for an interesting project.
Ill have to start digging through my change jar
What about starting out using the copper coated steel balls with steel powder added to the can? It might contain the copper in place and result in an interesting pattern.
Ill try it out next time. It might give me a small copper ring or it might just melt the copper
I'm excited about this one because I've thought about doing this for quite awhile.
The proof of concept is their. I think that the copper powder is the way to go. I found 1lb containers for $20 on amazon so i ordered some. I whould be trying again in a few weeks
@JPsBladeworks so next time no actual BB's?
@ the only difference with the bbs vs the bearing balls is the bearingballs will ultimately etch darker in the coffee since they are 52100 and not mild steel. I'll try both with the copper layer powder though
Its really not a bad experiment! With copper we're essentially brazing instead of welding if there's much difference, but the molecular bond between the metals tends to be fairly shallow compared to say forge welding.
Copper powder, some shot-ballbearings (used in sandblasting) could be an option as well, the BB's are fairly good in that they already are 'whetted' by having the copper layer on them. Ideally I think if you made a long, shallow canister which is just deep enough for each side, the core steel and then just press through on each side, I don't see anything good coming from forging to shape as its comparatively delicate in terms of the working temperatures and maybe too cold to do major deformations on the metal.
The other advantage I can think of with a shallow canister is that you don't necessarily have to go real deep, you could get away with maybe 1/16th to 2mm deep on each side and a 1/16th core steel mashed together under the press and have a good sized billet for most kitchen knives with some stock removal.
Thats what im planning for the next one. So im ordering 1/8 in balls as thsoe are the smallest i can get where buy. I plan on doing 1 layer with copper powder plus a layer of copper to hold the balls and core steel together. It will basically be a gomai
You need to make friends with a plumber, metal scrapper, mechanic...someone who can occasionally give you scraps to play with.
Love the build. Always fun to see what you come up with, even when it doesn't work out the way you want.
Im friends with my local mechanic. He gave me and my brother a bucket of scrap parts. I have a pretty nice bearing chilling in my truck.
I’m excited to see your next attempt! Great work! Always fun experimenting
Thank you. I appreciate it
Hey, this was a learning experience. Learn from this and make more amazing knives later. Now you know what NOT to do. Nothing wrong with that. Great video.
Im sure this would make cool rings and jewelry as wel
Another way to utilize scrap copper would be to dissolve it in nitric acid then use an iron bar which you might just have lying around. What happens is the copper plates out on the iron in a cement like powder.
You would definitely be able to get a whole lot of copper dissolved into a gallon of nitric acid, you just keep adding copper until it stops dissolving. Then use a big thick piece of iron to plate it out.
What happens is the iron and copper trade places and the iron goes into the solution and the copper comes out of solution. He'll i didnt know copper powder went for so much of a premium I might start making it lmao! The things you learn i swear. Anyways excellent video, awesome proof of concept! I love the way copper looks, my favorite of your knives are the copper laced ones.
Thanks. That seems like a lot of work 😅 but yeah it is expensive. I really like the look of the copper billets myself.
@JPsBladeworks all good bro, I'll message you when I start selling copper powder 😉
When using the copper-coated BBs, is the copper oxidising because of all the voids between them or is it just melting away before they can sinter? Might it work better either with powdered metal (steel or nickel etc) between them or with a reductant (just a piece of paper or some other source of carbon) in the canister?
I was asked why i didnt use 15n20 powder and it made me curious but im not sure what would happen to the copper coating if i get it hot enought to forge weld the steel powder
@ worth a try
DUDE. That’s a COOL LOOKIN KNIFE!!
Thanks. The next step in the project will be cooler
Like the way you keep trying 😊
Thats the only way to improve
The pattern looks frickin sweet!!! 👍
Thanks
I love that you continue to think about, and try, new ways of doing things. Keep at it!
Thank you. I like to experiment whenever i can
What if try using cast iron and copper? They melt at around the same temperature. Might not be suitable for a knife's edge, but might make for some really cool looking handles
I dont have casting tool and im hesistant to buy any since im so limited in space as is. But hopefully in the near future i can get a bigger space to work in.
@JPsBladeworks I think all you'd need is a crucible. Maybe some tongs. You already have the forge. It only needs to be around 2200 degrees fahrenheit to liquefy iron for casting. If I money I'd give it to you
Great experiment. It still came out very cool looking!
Thanks. I think so as well
Great explanation of the hasying process and the many factors that come into play.
If you want yo simplify and speed up your mowing process, I recommend changing up to a drum mower.
They take way less power and are not as upset by obstacles as the sickle blades.
I think you commented on the wrong video my friend.
What you learned from this one is probably just as valuable as a perfected knife. Can't really improve without taking risks :)
I hope the knife i see in my head works out as i planned once i get this down. The end result should be neat
Great content JP
I always admire your courage in sharing results regardless of the outcome. Thanks please keep em coming
Thank you. I mess up often. Some make it others dont. I had a knife a few months ago the split down the middle in the heat treatment process. That one hasnt seen the light of day since i havent made a replacement.
Jp just make you own copper powder grind up some of the copper that you already have inside of a plastic tote or use a different type of container if that opposes to be a fire hazard it should work. I did it once to use the powder for a paint job and it worked great
I would but with the grinder it picks up too much of the ceramic the belts let loose and by hand id rather spend the extra bucks and push back the future arthritis a few weeks 😅
We live and learn. Some of the best inventions and processes exist because of people who dared to try something new.
I really enjoy watching your videos! I like that you think outside the box and even though the results weren't what you intended... it's a step forward! As you pulled the billet out of the cannister, it reminded me of artwork. I thought slicing the billet into 1/16" pieces could produce a nice pendant or keychain.
I think i could make nice rings from copper and ball bearings.
Cool experiment. The center of the test with BBs/copper sheet/core/copper sheet/BBs seemed to produce a solid bond. I'm not sure on costs, but what if instead of standard cannister, you made a full length shallow canoe cannister, with your layers as followes: copper sheet/copper coated BBs with some copper powder (to eliminate empty space)/copper sheet/thick core steel/copper sheet/BBs with copper powder/copper sheet/cannister lid.
I expect it would work best to just heat and press to set stretching the billet minimally, and grinding to shape rather than forging in the bevels. This could end up "wasting" a lot of copper, so depending on material costs it might make things more expensive than cost effective.
Im going to try that next. First in small billets how i did here then choose the best to make a knife with. Hopefully the next time it yields better results
If this was me , "I needed the assistance of the hydraulic press, I've paused the filming here for 9 weeks while my smashed fingers healed."
😅 i am incredibly careful. I very much fear the hydraulic press and most of the power tools
It great to see how you will try new ways to do things i found that is very nice to se
You have courage to do or more try to do new things that show how you want to learn and try new ways to forge great knifes
Thats the best way to better my craft
I think this is a really cool idea. If you could consistently produce a “honeycomb” looking pattern with the smaller bearings and copper powder, I’d totally be interested in purchasing that.
I hope it works out.
They may not be in a good structural standing but the look and patterns are amazing. The first billit you did looked like reptile skin, the experimental mini cleaver at the end had a leopard pattern to it. Adding Flux might have helped with the bonding. The scrap billits could possibly be cut into pieces and stacked together, combining all the pieces in alternating layers, which could make a San Mai Damascus type of blade. That would be a cool experiment as well to see what turns out. I, too, would have gone the "curious" or "mad scientist" route as well because you never know what could be made. Very nicely done. Do you save your shaving from the drill press and any type of milling?
No i dont save any millings. I saw recently alec steele made a canister with some of his mill shavings. That turned out pretty cool
@JPsBladeworks
Something to think about 😁👍
I like you breaking down exactly what you did and why. I do think copper powder will give a better result, and I also wish copper wasn't so expensive.
They sell 2lbs for like $55 + shipping on jantz but i fould 1lbs containers on amazon for $20 with free shipping. Every penny counts right now
looking forward to the sequel.
Me too
That was quite the journey
Lots of messing up to get something right.
Cool result. I look forward to the next one.
Thanks. I appreciate the support
It's a learning process. Like your vids bro
Thank you. I appreciate it
here is an idea for you JP, you can call it a moon knife for cheese., since there was loss of bearings and it left small craters, thus the name of moon knife. its not a fail if you think about it. just a step in the process
Gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelet.
sick concept bro 🤙🏻
Thanks
Wonder if you would have added powdered steel if it would have helped?
Not sure
Good work sir
Thank you
so mixing copper and steel you should have included 10%tin and a spoon of copper sulphate or brazing flux and getting it to a higher temp to meld , then split folding the ingot , the temperature is important to achieve proper "wetting" of the base steel , so it should be near to white , typically at 2050 to 2100 c , not the 1700 c you were achieving , working the ingot needs to be at white cooling to orange , adding copper will increase the tensile strength nearly 3 times the base material so hot working is important as "embrittlement" will occur as the material cools so forging will introduce micro cracks unless it is hot (orange ) you are not working with mild or low carbon steel
You could maybe use a fresh grinder/sander belt and make your own copper shavings/powder?
I could but it wouldnt be pure copper since a lot of the dust from the belt would get mix up or in my case it would be bits of ceramic
Neat lessons thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching
Interesting pattern
I think so as well
Beautiful knife
Thank you
Cool pattern. What would using various sizes of bearings and copper powder look like?
No idea. Thats what we are going to find out
You should make a ring from the first billet and see how it looks
If i had a lathe i would definitely give it a try...but then again, a hole is a hole, so maybe i could do it with just the drill press 🤔
I assumed you would use a steel powder to make these. Is there a reason you didn’t? Well you answered that question in the end.
I will next time
Awesome video I'm sorry I missed a few videos lately, I am still having some issues with pain but I'm trying to catch up
Great content. I would be curious what would have happened if you used some 15N20 powder also in the canisters.
I do most of my canisters with 15n20. Or do you mean with the copper bbs?
@@JPsBladeworks Yes sir. Sorry I didnt specify very well. I just feel like they would bind better with some powder around them. I think having the copper coating on them didnt help the bond either. Too bad they dont make 100% copper ones.
You should have added steel powder to the BB-sections
Didnt cross my mind. Ill try it with different powders in my next version.
Could you have taken some good metal and put it in the middle of the box and then poured brass on the outside? So the middle of it would be a good steel to put an edge on, but the knife would have been brass for the look??
Thats one way to do it. Not sure how it would turn out but its possible
JP that was a good idea do you think that you got it hot enough ??
Copper melts at around 1950 and i had it at 2000. So im pretty sure it was hot enough.
I m looking forward to a. video where.you dont constantly put yourself or your work down
I gotta keep myself humble.
Would flattening the ball bearings be any help
Not sure
Whenever i need a decent amount of copper dust i take scrap copper pipe i keep and a big steel file and file the pipe down over the top of a 5 gallon bucket...you would be surprised how much u can get and how fast if u have a good file
Wondering what it would have looked like without the paint in cannister?
It would look pretty coll as well i think. Ill skip put on the paint ln the next one to seel if the extra layer looks cool
Maybe make multiple ones and laminate them to the hardenable steel?
With so much copper showing, could you melt up some copper to fill the voids?
It would probably stick but not sure if it would work out as i see it in my head. Half the time is easier in my head than in real life 😅
I love this dude but he cant do anything right its hilarious 😂
Everything has a process
Powdered 15n20 in-between the bbs
I will next time
Is copper powder a thing? I wonder if that would help...
it is. it is mainly used in cold casting or mixing with resin but copper is copper so im going to throw it in a canister
JP, knife blades edge has to be made of steel, copper is too soft. Move the copper away from 1 edge with a steel spine. Copper wool as a matrix. Use one side for the blade edge and the copper will feel better in the handle. BB's aren't ball bearings and nobody uses Cobalt anymore, JP.❤
I have a thought stay with me what if you get some left over thick copper wire and cut it into small pieces..if you would like I'll send you a box of copper
I wont say no to free copper but i ordered copper powder and im sure that will do the trick for what im trying to do.
Plz finish that knife with no edge for prop use
Its finished. I never intended to put a handle on it so i purposely left it thicker on the handle portion.
Should have cleaned the balls first!! Lol guarantee there's oil or a corrosion resistant from the factory, great idea tho!!
Yeah i probably should have
Powder? You forgot the powder
Im make the sound of, now is cool
Cool
Muito amigo, como experiência serviu bem. Use chapa de 5mm de espessura para o cobre ou cobre em pó, você terá um resultado mais homogêneo. Não acione borox, ele vai criar bolsões entre as esferas e o cobre. Após deixar as duas faces prontas monte o Samai e feche muito bem com solda. Ficará ótimo, parabéns. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it
Old pennies and steel powder.
Am I the only one who thinks that ball bearing patterns like this always just look like the metal is diseased?
It has the pox!!!!
It is a fail, but the result was pretty beuatiful
Its a good proof of concept
Copper BBs
I didnt want to put bbs in the title. Last thing i need is youtube limiting the reach of the video because it somehow ties bbs to guns. 🤷♂️
@@JPsBladeworks true
BBs
Yup
Awesome video dude,could ya try add all different billets with different metals together and create a hybrid machete sword,plz?!with 3k layers demascus stainless steel,30X twisted pattern style??!👌😎🙏🏽✌️😁
Once i get it down i would like to play more with it
Why do you keep calling on ball bearings when they're actually BB's
Dont want youtube to accidently equate bbs to guns and affect the videos reach. Cant be too safe with how the ai picks up things incorrectly
Copper Damascus looks good but copper is a soft material making the knife from it is like having a butter knife.
For next time, do some chopping test too for us
Thats why it didnt work out. The copper crossed to the edge. Normally the core steel does all the cutting and thats from some kind of high carbon material.
Too much bla bla!
I bla bla a lot
Keep practicing....one day you will make it as a blacksmith...
Hopefully...one day...