View Full Version : Torch cutting Highcarbon steel/Damascus


Riley White
03-22-2005, 11:50 AM
I think some of the difficulties encountered in cutting the Damascus steel comes from the nature of high carbon steel. When I cut out a throwing knife I heat the entire cut to about 400 F and then go back and make the cut as usual. Before I started this practice I noticed that the high carbon steel likes to pop and try to blow back. It would get nasty about being cut. I reasoned that the steel vessels and other tempered steel structures were heated to around 400 degrees to relieve the stress and maybe the preheat action I mentioned would help the steel relax some. In my opinion the cutting torch in this area (cutting steel other than stainless) beats the plasma cutter hands down. You just need to warm it up some.
I really don?t know why it works It just does. Try it you?ll like it.