-Making Mokume-
Knife with Sterling and Copper Mokume, J. Loose, '00.
-Mokume-
Mokume is a natural extension of an interest in damascus. Both are
fusion-layered patterned laminates. 'Mokume,' translates from
the Japanese as '...wood grain,' and is the same word used to describe
pattern-welded steel. It is made in a similar fashion; alternating
layers of differing non-ferrous metals are laminated and manipulated to
reveal the underlying structure. This versatile material can be
utilized in many ways as any non-ferrous metal: it can be cut,
soldered, raised, formed and carved. It cannot be cast, as melting
would destroy the inherent separations of differing metals.
-Introduction-
This article is intended as an introduction to making Mokume. It is
geared toward the Blacksmith / Bladesmith and their tools & equipment,
rather than the Jeweler, in whose studio the Ironworker finds a number
of unfamiliar contraptions...
I strongly recommend Steve Midgett's book / video available at Mokume.com
Mr. Midgett's book includes an excellent Mokume kiln that is easily
constructed. It also features an excellent section geared toward the
bladesmith's shop. GET IT.
The method described below is one of the least controlled processes
for making Mokume. A forge with accurate temperature controls is
essential. I have an upright forced air D.Fogg style forge with a
hole in the top for a thermocouple. I can control my temps from 1400 F
to 2200 F. The thermocouple and display came from Grainger, or you can
use 'Tempil-sticks,' available from MSC. Tempil sticks are basically crayons that melt
at specific temperatures.
An addition to the process described below is the use of stainless
steel tool wrap. I recommend this step when using precious
metals. Enclose the bound billet in the tool wrap filled with clean
charcoal powder. This will facilitate a very reducing atmosphere but
requires a longer soaking time in the heat source environment.
A forge with good temperature control can work with the following
information, but a heat treat or burnout kiln will work better.
-Materials-
Almost any non-ferrous metal can be used to make Mokume. Some work
better than others and some are affected by close proximity to other
metals- for example silver and brass do not fuse well but may be
separated by a layer of copper and the whole billet fused quite
successfully. Copper and high copper alloys add malleability. Metals
with low melting points such as bronze create difficulties in uniform
fusion with high melting point metals. Silver and gold both work well
in addition to several Japanese alloys to be discussed below.
Mokume Compatible Alloys (In order of melting points.) | ||
---|---|---|
Alloy | Melting Point | Composition |
Copper | 1981 F / 1083 C | 99.9 Cu |
Shakudo | 1952 F / 1066 C | 75 Cu / 25 Au |
24K Gold | 1945 F / 1063 C | 99.9 Au |
Fine Silver | 1761 F / 960 C | 99.9 Ag |
Shibuichi | 1720 F / 937 C | 75 Cu / 25 Ag |
Brass | 1710 F / 930 C | 65 Cu / 35 Zn |
Sterling Silver | 1640 F / 893 C | 92.5 Ag / 7.5 Cu |
14K Gold | 1615 F / 879 C | 58.5 AU / 41.5 CU |
Untracht, p. 373,
abridged.
Shakudo and Shabuichi are two Japanese alloys used in
Mokume, among other things. Shakudo is a mixture of 75% copper ( Cu )
and 25% gold ( Au ). It can be depletion gilded, a process
wherein the surface copper is removed by chemical means, leaving a thin
layer of pure gold. It also has unique patination properties.
Shibuichi ('misty-silver') is a mixture of 75% copper and 25% silver (
Ag ). Shibuichi, like Shakudo, also has unique patination properties.
-Methods of Fusion-
There are two methods of fusing the layers that make up Mokume:
wet-bonding, or sweat soldering and diffusion weld
bonding, or a fusion process much the same as ferrous forge
welding. Most Black / Bladesmiths will probably find the diffusion
process more familiar although it is slightly more difficult than
wet-bonding. Diffusion also offers a stronger and more malleable
Mokume capable of greater manipulation and hence, greater pattern and
form possibilities.
-Making the Billet-
First select the various alloys you wish to use in your Mokume billet.
There are several considerations to take into account. Firstly make
sure that your alloys fall within a relatively close range of melting
points; if you are wet-bonding make certain that your solder falls
below the melting point of all the alloys in use. The secondary
consideration is the order of the alloys in question... this is
primarily an aesthetic decision but you may also wish to take into
account placing together metals that will fuse / solder easier.
Lastly, a similar thickness of each layer is traditional and easier to
work with, though not absolutely necessary.
Alternating layers of Silver and Shibuichi- very subtle Mokume.
Each layer must be of the same length and width- in the example above
pieces are 3" x 1". Each piece must be as flat and as clean as
possible. To flatten sheet metal place it on a polished steel surface
and strike with a rawhide or high-density plastic mallet. The sheets
should then be freshly sanded and wiped clean with acetone or denatured
alcohol. You will need two steel plates at least 1/4" x the size of
your layers- in this case 1/4" x 3" x 1". The surfaces of the plates
contacting the billet should be coated with yellow ochre mixed with
water and applied as a paste. Gently heat the plates to dry the yellow
ochre. This is to prevent the Mokume material from fusing to the steel
plates.
As a note: yellow ochre is commonly available through artist's paint
supply houses. It is basically clay and quite safe to burn. A
workable substitute is 'White- out,' or similar products, although the
fumes are -dangerous-.
-Preparations for Diffusion Welding-
This process is very similar to making a steel Damascus billet. I am
going to present the method most easily undertaken in a typical
bladesmith's shop. A forge with accurate teperature / atmosphere
controls will work but a heat-treating kiln or jeweler's burnout kiln
will work better. See bibliography for further information.
Assemble the layers in the desired order, maintaining absolute
cleanliness of the surfaces. Freshly sanded and cleaned with alcohol
or acetone is sufficient. Place the Mokume layers in between the steel
plates, with the ochre coated sides against the Mokume. These plates
must be of the same dimension as the billet in length and width as
their primary purposes are to prevent the layers from shifting during
heating and fusion thus maintaining an oxide-free contact between the
layers. Clamp the whole assembly in a strong vise and bind with heavy
steel wire as shown below:
An airtight pressure upon the layers is critical as oxidation inhibits
fusion.
-Welding the Billet-
The bound billet placed in a low-temperature reducing atmosphere.
When welding the main issues are the prevention of oxides and
overheating. A Mokume made up of primarily copper-based alloys will
fuse between 1400-1900 F. Silver, if present, will fuse at a much
lower range: 1100-1400 F. You want to set your temperature to
approximately 50 degress F below the -lowest- melting point in your
billet. It is quite easy to melt and ruin the Mokume when heating
in a forge. Maintaining a reducing atmosphere and proper temperature
is critical in either a gas forge or a coal forge. A kiln with
accurate temperature controls is the ideal heat source.
A further precaution is to enclose the billet in stainless steel tool
wrap filled with clean charcoal powder. This creates a very reducing
environment and will catch any material that melts in the event of
over-heating. It requires a longer soak time and is better done in a
kiln.
In the case of an un-enclosed billet, heat slowly to insure evenness
and watch for a red-orange color- when this is achieved the layers are
at the proper temperature. In the case of silver layers they will fuse
when they 'sweat,' or appear on the verge of becoming fluid. Remove
the billet and -gently- apply pressure by tapping with a light hammer.
If the temperature is too high or the strike too hard you will squeeze
near molten metal from between the layers.
When the billet has cooled to black, remove the binding wire and the
plates.
The material may appear quite rough before filing the edges and
forging/rolling flat.
-Manipulating the Layers-
At this stage the billet may be used or further manipulated to create
more layers and affect surface patterns. First, the billet must be
cleaned up- file the edges square and make sure you have a solid weld.
If you notice any cold shuts you can coat the piece in a high
temperature paste flux such as Prip's or Handy Flux and return to the
fire; heat and forge again.
Those of you familiar with Damascus work will need no inspiration.
Non-ferrous metal can be cold-forged, although some recommend
forging Mokume at a very dull red or very hot black heat ( around 900
F). The primary concern when cold-forging is relieving the metal of
internal stresses by annealing it. To anneal most non-ferrous metals
heat them to a dull red and quench when the redness disappears...
however, with Mokume quenching can cause weld-shear due to differing
rates of expansion / contraction. Simply let the billet air cool in
between courses of forging. I do a great deal of my cold-forging on a
treadle hammer; treading very lightly as it were. A jeweler's rolling
mill is a great boon in this endeavor, but hand forging will teach you
patience, if nothing else.
You can increase the number of layers by forging out, cutting and
restacking. Weld as before.
The traditional wood-grain patterns are what Bladesmiths call 'Pool and
Eye,' but the method of producing the pattern is a little different.
Rather than drilling holes and forging flat the Mokume is forged into a
sheet and a ball-pien hammer is used to make dents on both sides.
These dents should produce bumps on the reverse side. The whole sheet
is then sanded smooth. But basically anything you can do with Damascus
you can do with Mokume, including composite construction and mosaics.
-Bibliography-
Midgett, Steve. Mokume Gane Available at Mokume.com
Untract, Oppi. Jewelry Concepts and Technology. New York:
Doubleday, 1985.
Very comprehensive and contains more controlled
procedures for the more advanced artisan.
McCreight, Tim. The Complete Metalsmith. Worcester, Mass: Davis
Publications, 1982.
Very good introduction to non-ferrous
metalwork. Also very good with improvising tools and equipment.