Forging and Shaping the Blade

What happens here

Heat the Damascus steel in the forge until it reaches a bright red or orange color, typically between 1400°F and 1900°F. Once hot, use tongs to place the steel on an anvil. Begin shaping the steel using a sledgehammer for heavy blows and a regular hammer for more precise work. The process involves 'drawing out' the metal (stretching it into the basic shape of the blade and tang by hitting all four sides) and 'upsetting' (flattening or expanding sections to give volume, like creating the blade's profile). Reheat the steel frequently whenever it cools down to a dull red or black to maintain its malleability and prevent 'cold shuts' (weak points caused by hammering cold steel). Precision in striking is emphasized over brute strength.

Goal: Shape the Damascus steel into a rough knife blank.