Pre-Cut Carbon Damascus Steel Billets

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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.
• Example: 2 × 1 hour at 356°F (180°C) → approximately 62 HRC for knife blades.
• Increasing the tempering temperature reduces hardness and increases toughness, so adjust to your intended application.

Surface Preparation

• After hardening, sand to a consistent finish of at least 400-grit, up to 1200-grit for a finer pre-etch surface. Work through each grit cleanly before moving to the next. Scratches from lower grits will be amplified by the etch.
• Do not buff after sanding, as buffing closes the surface and reduces pattern contrast.
• Wash thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
• Degrease with acetone or denatured alcohol immediately before etching.

Etching

• Always wear protective gloves and goggles and work in a ventilated area when handling acids.
• Use ferric chloride (FeCl₃, 15–50% solution in distilled water) or sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄, 15–30%). Both produce excellent results on DSC Carbon. Gator Piss is also confirmed compatible and preferred by many makers.
• Do not use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), as it attacks both types of steel equally and produces a flat grey 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 pattern is clearly visible and the desired depth is achieved.
• Do not buff after etching, as buffing destroys the contrast you have developed.

Developing Contrast

• After your final pass, neutralize thoroughly in a baking soda solution and rinse completely.
• For greater contrast, lightly sand with fine sandpaper (2000 grit or finer). 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.