52100 Brass/copper/Steel Damascus San Mai (3x50x320mm)

52100 Brass/copper/Steel Damascus San Mai

This 52100 Brass & Copper Damascus San Mai steel is hand forged by Tu Man in Vietnam and supplied in a fully annealed (soft) condition for ease of stock removal and shaping. Made with a high-carbon 52100 steel core clad in a striking mix of brass, copper, and steel Damascus, forged using traditional san mai construction. To get a raindrop pattern you will need to hammer texture. If left unhammered the layers will come out straight as per the untextured picture.

The annealed state makes this billet ideal for grinding, profiling, drilling, and shaping before heat treatment. Once hardened, the 52100 core delivers excellent edge retention and toughness, while the contrasting brass and copper Damascus cladding provides visual depth and a unique layered appearance that continues to develop character with use. Natural variation in colour and pattern is part of the appeal and reflects the hand-forged nature of each billet.

Features

• Annealed 52100 carbon steel core, easy to machine and ready for heat treatment
• Brass, copper, and steel Damascus cladding for bold contrast, depth, and visual interest
• Traditional san mai construction, combining high performance with striking aesthetics

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Heat Treatment Guide – 52100 Core

Note: This guide applies to the 52100 core only. Brass and copper cladding must be protected from overheating and oxidation. Its better to not grind the cladding at all until you've hardened. 

Normalising (recommended if further forged):

• Heat to ~870°C and air cool to black
• Repeat 2–3 cycles, reducing temperature slightly each cycle

Austenitising:

• Heat evenly to 830–845°C
• Hold for 5–10 minutes depending on blade thickness

Quench:

• Quench in fast to medium-speed oil
• Aim for a smooth, straight entry to minimise warp

Temper:

• Temper twice, 2 hours per cycle
• 200–220°C for general knife use
• Expect approximately 60–62 HRC, depending on process and geometry