Advice for inlays on a blade

Snwclmber - Monday, March 3, 2008 - 1:25pm

I've run into a problem with a blade I'm currently forging, that I'm hoping someone can help with.
My current project has a vine and leaf design chased/inlayed into the side of the blade(my terminology may be off). The problem I'm having is that I would like to inlay brass or copper into the pattern, but I don't know how to make it bond with the blade steel. If anyone can give me some advice on how to inlay the brass, I would love to hear it.

If it would help, I can take a picture of where I am at with the knife right now.

--Paul

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intaglio

B.J. Severtson - Monday, March 3, 2008 - 3:03pm

Paul
do a search on intaglio metal insert. Basically the area you want to place your insert in is routed out, the edges of this shape are undercut.. the area to be covered scored with undercuts. The brass shape is then placed in to the cavity then forged to fit. Inlay is expanded sideways to fit. becoming a mechanical bond. the insert needs to thicker than the cavity it goes in. Hope this helps. Just one traditional way. Italian technique. Orchid may have a
lesson ? Undercuts can be done with a graver but a burr on a flex shaft might be easier. Hope this helps Brad

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another thought

B.J. Severtson - Monday, March 3, 2008 - 3:39pm

You might want to rout out and undercut the area before you harden the blade. Set the insert after hardening. That way the difference in expansion between the two metals shouldn't be a problem. Round inserts are quite easy. Lines aren't too bad, undercut both sides of the line. Square wire is easier to use than round, because it bottoms out nicely. Anneal the insert before inlaying it. Brad

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