When someone asks me that question, I usually answer with the number of layers each billet contains, and the number of billets. For example, if I made a blade from "W" pattern, I generally start with two billets, of 25 layers each, those are cut and re-stacked a minimum of 10 layers, so my answer would be "Two billets, 250 layers each".

It's not nearly as impressive as saying "This is a 500 layer blade".....but mosaic is a different animal (as you well know <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> ). The question that is more difficult to respond to is: "Why does mosaic cost so much more then other damascus?" To make folks understand it almost necessary to have then see the process. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

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When someone asks me that question, I usually answer with the number of layers each billet contains, and the number of billets. For example, if I made a blade from "W" pattern, I generally start with two billets, of 25 layers each, those are cut and re-stacked a minimum of 10 layers, so my answer would be "Two billets, 250 layers each".

It's not nearly as impressive as saying "This is a 500 layer blade".....but mosaic is a different animal (as you well know <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> ).

Thanks, Ed. Explaining a simple random or ladder is pretty straight forward but I never knew just what to say to the question of layers for a mosaic, especially if it was tile cut.

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The question that is more difficult to respond to is: "Why does mosaic cost so much more then other damascus?" To make folks understand it almost necessary to have then see the process. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Ironically, I believe that a nice random pattern is more popular to most than the most intricate mosaic. Most of my blades are random but I do like to keep one or two complex mosaic patterns in the showcase as well though, just for comparison. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> I've worn out many legal pads explaining how the pattern was made.

If the billet was tile cut, I guess that I should say, "Each of these sections has xxx number of layers." and show them the individual tiles.

Thanks for the response. I appreciate the input.

Gary

Thank you Ed. That does make things clearer. Good question Gary.

Brion