Thursday, December 23, 2010

Mokume gane second attempt

Second attempt with 21 layers of alternating silver nickel, bronze, copper, bronze. 
Found out that this particular bronze melts at around 850 C, so I used it sort of like a glue between the other two metals. 
What I learnt is that temperature control in the forge is not as important as keeping a really reducing atmosphere in there to avoid oxidation and hence delamination. Also you really have to dig deep into the layers afterwards to get an interesting pattern.


Thoughts on next time, find a proper way to polish and patinate, as well as maybe use different thickness in the metals to get a more active pattern. Also maybe get a rolling mill...? (Gosh, more money to spend on machinery... this has got to stop. Or maybe I have to find a way to sell mokume gane to jewelers in Europe...)

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