Damascus and Mokume'

On this course you will learn how to make Damascus Steel and Mokumé Gane. These materials are made by a process which layers together different metals into a single piece. The layering process eventually produces beautiful patterned surfaces on items made from the material.

Damascus Steel is made from layers of ferrous metals (types of iron and steel) but Mokumé Gane is made from non-ferrous metals such as copper, brass, gold and silver.

Mark Constable is a specialist in these techniques and is the visiting tutor for this course.

The process begins by making a multi-layered or stratified stack of two or more different metals. By applying heat and pressure, these layers are welded together into one homogenous block known as a billet. The billet is then manipulated in various ways such as twisting, punching and chiselling before being forged out into a piece of usable metal. This metal now has inherant surface patterns. Acid etching is sometimes used as part of the process to develop and enhance the effect.

Typically, students on this course will make either a paper knife or a small dish. However, as the course mostly focuses on learning the techniques involved in making the materials themselves, students are free to make other items as they wish within the time available under the guidance of the course tutors.