Thread: Mastro Livi videos

I have to say that was very scary watching him slap that razor across his hand like that. If I tried to do that, I'd have no skin on my hand left!

It's scary you are right.

Originally Posted by MinniesMate

Is Damascus steel harder/softer or just more attractive than carbon steel?

Does the use of borax in the steel (saw it added on another video) give it the characteristic variations?

Pattern welded steel has no metallurgical advantage over modern homogeneous steels and in fact there are several points in the process of making it in witch one could ruin the steel. It is a display of skill and aesthetics nothing more. True Damascus steel or Woots is a different matter all together but the advantages it gives are of little consequence to a razor

Originally Posted by MinniesMate

Is Damascus steel harder/softer or just more attractive than carbon steel?

Does the use of borax in the steel (saw it added on another video) give it the characteristic variations?

Borax is used as a flux to forge weld the layers of steel that make the lines/patterns in the damascus blade.