Hmm, interesting. Do you use any kind of outer layer to protect the 416 from atmosphere?
None.
Hmm, interesting. Do you use any kind of outer layer to protect the 416 from atmosphere?
No.
I have never used anything in stainless San Mai other than 416 and either 1095 or O1. I've never found it necessary to protect the stainless.
Here is what I think is going on based on the photos, especially the finished blade.
It looks like either your SS jacket was too thin, or you just ground almost all of it away. Those little whiskers are the residue of what is left over and still attached to the core.
Welding by eye and steel color is a crap shoot. A thermocouple and DRO is pretty cheap insurance.
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
