DSC^® Carbon Damascus Steel Billets (Cut-to-Size)

• Free US shipping over $50

• 30-day returns from delivery, in any condition, as long as the whole billet comes back

Width:

• 20 mm ≈ 0.79 in

• 25 mm ≈ 0.98 in

• 30 mm ≈ 1.18 in

• 35 mm ≈ 1.38 in

• 40 mm ≈ 1.57 in

• 45 mm ≈ 1.77 in

• 50 mm ≈ 1.97 in

• 55 mm ≈ 2.17 in

• 60 mm ≈ 2.36 in

Thickness:

• 2 mm ≈ 0.08 in

• 2.5 mm ≈ 0.10 in

• 3 mm ≈ 0.12 in

• 4 mm ≈ 0.16 in

• 5 mm ≈ 0.20 in

• 6 mm ≈ 0.24 in

• 8 mm ≈ 0.31 in

• 10 mm ≈ 0.39 in

Forging

• Forge at 1742-1976°F (950-1080°C).

• Cool slowly after deformation. Do not quench from the forging temperature.

• Soft annealing is required after hot working to enable further machining.

Machining

• All DSC Carbon billets are delivered soft-annealed at 22-27 HRC and are ready to machine. The weld layers will not separate during machining.

Soft Annealing (required after hot working only)

• Heat slowly to 1328°F (720°C) and hold for 2 hours.

• Reduce the temperature to 1202°F (650°C) and hold for a further 2 hours.

• Cool slowly in the furnace.

• Remove once the billet temperature is below 570°F (300°C).

Hardening 

• Heat to 1544°F (840°C) and hold for 4 minutes.

• Quench immediately in oil.

• Deep-freezing after hardening is optional but recommended to improve dimensional stability and reduce retained austenite.

Tempering

• Temper immediately after hardening (or after deep freezing if performed).

• Temper in two separate cycles of at least 1 hour each, cooling to room temperature between cycles.

• Knife blades: 2 × 1 hour at 356°F (180°C) → approximately 62 HRC.

• Decorative items: 2 × 1 hour at 392°F (200°C) → approximately 61 HRC.

• Increasing the tempering temperature reduces hardness and increases toughness, so adjust to your intended application.

Surface Preparation

• After hardening, fine polish the surface, up to a mirror polish. Work through each grit cleanly before moving to the next. Scratches from lower grits will be amplified by the etch.

• Wash thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

• Degrease with dish soap or acetone immediately before etching.

Etching

• Always wear protective gloves and goggles and work in a ventilated area when handling acids.

• Use ferric chloride (FeCl₃, 15-35% solution in distilled water) or sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄, 15-30%). Both produce excellent results on DSC Carbon.

• Do not use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), as it attacks both types of steel equally and produces a flat gray with no pattern contrast.

• Heat your chosen etchant to approximately 122°F (50°C) in a water bath for consistent, controlled results.

• Suspend the billet freely in the etchant and do not let it rest on the bottom of the container.

• Etch in multiple short passes rather than one long soak. Between each pass, remove the billet, neutralize it in a baking soda solution, and brush lightly with a soft toothbrush to remove smut and surface oxides before returning it to the etchant.

• Continue cycling until the change between the layers is clearly visible. A deep etch is recommended.

Developing Contrast

• After your final pass, neutralize thoroughly in a baking soda solution and rinse completely.

• Then fine polish or fine grind above 2000 grit until the contrast is where you want it. This polishes the raised bright layer (1.2767) while leaving the recessed dark layer (1.2842) at depth.

Final Steps

• Rinse and dry completely.

• Apply a protective oil or wax to prevent oxidation.