Hey guys, this is my first post here, and this is a topic that greatly interests me.

I just started getting into doing some w patterns fairly recently.

My technique is is pretty similar to those mentioned already by Ed. I would add that Bruce's WIP thread that was posted was a big help with things as well. Bruce uses squaring dies on a 45° bias to distort the layers before drawing out with the layers "vertical" (the 90 degree rotation & drawing procedure). I think that step is one of the biggest in making REALLY nice, sharp W's.

Here was my first W billet (using Bruce's technique) and the resulting blade:

Here's a mosaic variation that I did by starting with a w billet that I stacked up some additional layers of the same steel in the middle (like the technique Ed mentioned), then went about the standard "W" procedure, did a 45° re-square, 4-wayed, and then tiled out.

The possibilities for a W pattern are almost endless, and I'll definately be exploring them more in the future.

Hi Graham, beautiful first w's billet! Jason Knight showed me that trick with the squareing dies to get the verticle layers "folded over" for a good start on the w's. It really is a nice way to do it. I saw that last blade posted elsewhere today and i must say it is absolutely beautiful!

I haven't come around these parts for a bit...I need to be over here more <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmiths.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

In any event, I did a writeup of W's on my website a little while ago. Here's how I do it with pictures and the whole 9 yards.

-d