I've got a question on press dies: how do you all make your dies for different patterns? Of particular interest to me right now would be Rain Drop pattern - do you make all the "drops" the same size or different sizes? What size holes do you use, and how do you create the. Bumps? Of course, as a reference, all die patterns are of interest!

Thanks!

Wow. There are some incredible patterns in this thread. My experience is still somewhat limited with pattern welding but I do have a few billets in ash right now. On the subject of cutting and dies, I have done all of my w pattern with my drawing dies. I made a couple out of split 1.5 inch round bar. After drawing the billet out I flatten it with my flatter dies but the pattern remains. I have a picture of one fresh after a deep etch on 1095 and 15n20. I do so enjoy forging knives but have been playing with some Fredrick's crosses lately. They really show a nice pattern.