Available to order!
Note due to the custom nature of the materials used no two San Mai and Burr Knives will look the same.
A San Mai Sloyd knife.
San Mai basically means three layers. This billets three layers consist of a 1095 high carbon steel core, clad with 304 Stainless steel. I tightly wire the layers together , heat up gradually in the forge and apply flux at around 800⁰C. Once I have reached forge welding temps, some light taps with a 2lb hammer sets the weld. When I’m happy that the layers have welded to each other that’s when I start the actual forging and shaping of the billet.
It’s quite a long and steady process with no haste involved. When the final shape is where I want it, I then proceed to stress relieve, normalise and anneal. The edge is then ground in to near sharp and heat treatment commences. The billet is then again heated up gradually to critical temperature and left to soak for 15-20 minutes for a good even hardness.
After, it’s into the heat treat oven for tempering. When heat treatment is complete I hand finish to a shaving sharp edge and lightly etch to bring out the layers and handle.
This one has been handled in stabilised and dyed Maple Burr and a leather sheath is made. These tools take a long time to produce as all aspects of it’s construction need to be carefully undertaken. Any errors or shortcuts taken lead to a unworthy tool. Looks cool just wouldn’t work in the long term.
Click through the images below.
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