Leopard Tank Barrel Damascus Billets
Leo-Damast® I and Leo-Damast® IV Tank Barrel Damascus Steel Billets are forged by BALBACHDAMAST® in Germany. These exceptional, non-stainless billets cater to knifemakers and jewlery makers who appreciate unique patterns and historically-sourced compositions in their high-quality materials.
The Leopard 1 tank has a significant history, from which the cannon barrel steel in these unique Leo-Damast® Damascus steel billets is sourced. Developed in the late 1950s and introduced in 1965, the Leopard 1 was West Germany's first post-World War II main battle tank. Known for its exceptional mobility and firepower, NATO countries widely adopted the Leopard 1, and it became one of the most successful tanks of its time. The tank was equipped with a powerful 105mm L7 main gun, which was later upgraded to the 120mm smoothbore gun in the Leopard 1A5 variant. The steel from these decommissioned tank barrels now finds new life in exquisite Damascus steel, creating a tangible connection between history and modern craftsmanship.
Leo-Damast® I Billet:
- Hand-made 320-layer, high-carbon Damascus steel
- Features a wild pattern that occurs naturally during the folding process
- Composed of wear-resistant cannon barrel steel from Leopard I tanks and tool steel
- Achieves a hardness of 63 HRC or higher after hardening
Leo-Damast® IV Billet:
- Hand-made, high-carbon 640-layer Damascus steel
- Available in either a band or large rhombi pattern
- Offers exceptional wear resistance and a final hardness of 63 HRC or higher
- The unique composition includes cannon barrel steel from Leopard I tanks, tools, cold work, and roller-bearing steel.
These billets are shipped soft-annealed, un-etched, and precision flat-ground, ensuring the highest quality for your crafting needs. The billets can be etched very deep and dark, highlighting their intricate patterns. This is the FINAL STOCK of these remarkable Leo-Damast® I & IV Damascus steel billets; more will not be offered!
Shipping / Returns
- Free Shipping over $50
- 30 Day Worry-Free Returns
Unit Conversion
- 220x30x3mm
- 8.66 x 1.1811 x 0.11811 inches
- 240x30x5mm
- 9.44 x 1.1811 x 0.19685 inches
- 250x35x5mm
- 9.84 x 1.37795 x 0.19685 inches
- 250x40x6mm
- 9.84 x 1.5748 x 0.23622 inches
- 220x30x3mm
Hardening / Tempering / Annealing
Hardening:
- Heat the steel in the furnace to 1562°F (850°C) for a holding time of 5 minutes.
- Rapidly quench in oil.
- Deep freezing after hardening is optional but recommended.
Tempering:
To convert the steel structure into tempered martensite and adjust its hardness after hardening, perform tempering for at least 2 hours.
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Temper for 2 hours at 302°F (150°C)
Annealing:
To prevent cracks or breaks after hot working, follow this soft annealing process:
- Heat the material in an oven to 1382°F (750°C)
- Maintain a holding time of 2 hours at 1382°F (750°C)
- Maintain a holding time of 2 hours at 1256°F (680°C)
- Cool the material slowly in a furnace
- Remove it from the furnace when the temperature is below 570°F (300°C).
Etching
Bring the Damascus Steel to a Finish:
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Sand the hardened Damascus steel to a 400-grit finish, or up to 1200-grit depending on preference, and give it a hand satin finish. Do not buff the steel after sanding.
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Wash the steel and dry it with a clean cloth. Clean the steel of any residue using denatured alcohol. Avoid using acetone.
Etching:
- Observe safety precautions and warnings for handling acid and wear protective gear.
- For carbon steels, dilute ferric acid with distilled water at a 50/50 ratio and heat the solution to 122°F (50°C) in a water bath.
- Five or more, shorter etches are recommended. Brushing the steel with an old toothbrush during each etch will produce an even result.
- After etching, neutralize the steel thoroughly with bicarbonate soda to prevent further corrosion.
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Reviews
Absolutely some of my favorite Damascus Not only is it made from a tank barrel, but the pattern is incredible. The diamond shapes seem to jump off the blade!
This is a solid billet with a beautiful pattern… This steel heat treats easily without warpage, and etch’s exquisitely.
This stuff is fantastic. It comes annealed and is very easy to cut, grind, and drill pre-heat treat. It hardened reliably with the heat treat info provided, and came out straight as an arrow. The pattern is fantastic, and the contrast in the layers is excellent as well. All around an easy choice for quality Damascus.
The steel is great quality but what sets it apart is the customer service these guys provide. A company that has a good product and does the right thing without even being asked just as a way of doing business deserves to be patronized!
This stuff is just awesome. The high layer count really lends to some awesome chatoyance when finished and etched properly. The folks at Damaworks have knocked it out of the park here and are such a pleasure to work with. 5 stars and highly recommended.