That is a good size hunk of steel. Right now the possibilities are endless, and you have enough for several medium sized blades.

Here are a few suggestions.

1. Double the layer count, forge out to 1/2" square. and twist. You should have about 30 inches of 1/2" square, so twist half that length left and the other half right. Cut into 4 bars and make Turkish twist.

2. Cut that bar into 3 or 4 pieces and restack. Forge out to a new bar about the same dimensions you have now. Grind the grooves as for ladder, but only do from one edge to the middle (both sides) and make wolf-jaw.

3. Forge what you have into about 3/4" square and twist. (you can also double the layer count before taking it to 3/4" square).Now forge the blade.

4. Do either #1 or #3 and make 4 twisted bars, 2 twisted left and 2 twisted right. Square them all true and stack together into a 2x2 square with same twists in opposite corners. Weld them together, re-square the bar and flatten.

5. Go ahead with the W-pattern idea. Forge that bar down on the edge to crinkle the layers, flatten and restack. Forge the resulting bar until it's about 1" thick, and accordion cut it. Flatten out and save the little pieces. These can be welded back together for fittings or another bar.

|quoted:

That is a good size hunk of steel. Right now the possibilities are endless, and you have enough for several medium sized blades.

Here are a few suggestions.

1. Double the layer count, forge out to 1/2" square. and twist. You should have about 30 inches of 1/2" square, so twist half that length left and the other half right. Cut into 4 bars and make Turkish twist.

2. Cut that bar into 3 or 4 pieces and restack. Forge out to a new bar about the same dimensions you have now. Grind the grooves as for ladder, but only do from one edge to the middle (both sides) and make wolf-jaw.

3. Forge what you have into about 3/4" square and twist. (you can also double the layer count before taking it to 3/4" square).Now forge the blade.

4. Do either #1 or #3 and make 4 twisted bars, 2 twisted left and 2 twisted right. Square them all true and stack together into a 2x2 square with same twists in opposite corners. Weld them together, re-square the bar and flatten.

5. Go ahead with the W-pattern idea. Forge that bar down on the edge to crinkle the layers, flatten and restack. Forge the resulting bar until it's about 1" thick, and accordion cut it. Flatten out and save the little pieces. These can be welded back together for fittings or another bar.

Thanks for the reply! That all sounds like very good ideas! I always have to make things complicated so I like the sound of the last one, ha! I may just forge this one out, cut into 4ths restack and weld. Then make 2 billets, one raindrop, and one ladder. I really want to do some multi bars tho. And some W's!

If I just do raindrop and/or ladder how thick should I make my billet before patterning? Thanks

|quoted:

Thanks for the reply! That all sounds like very good ideas! I always have to make things complicated so I like the sound of the last one, ha! I may just forge this one out, cut into 4ths restack and weld. Then make 2 billets, one raindrop, and one ladder. I really want to do some multi bars tho. And some W's!

If I just do raindrop and/or ladder how thick should I make my billet before patterning? Thanks

I think you need to challenge yourself. If you really want to do multi-bar patterns, try one. Take that bar and double it. You should be over 150 layers, which is good for twist patterns. You have plenty of steel, so draw it out to about 1 inch square and cut it in half. Set one half aside for sometime later. Take the first half and do the Turkish twist in Option 4 above.