Tiaan Burger 40 Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) I recently viewed some tsuba, and one reminded me of a technique I used during my blacksmithing days; a thin coating of brass is applied to red hot steel or iron to give it a golden sheen by either rubbing it with a bit of brass at red heat, or brushing it with a brass wired brush. I decided to give it a go and used an iron tsuba blank with raised rim. I coated the blank with some brazing flux, heated it dull red, dropped some brass pieces on it and then heated it to bright red. I did this both sides. On the one side most of the iron was covered, on the other I got a "quarter moon" of brass. The general idea was to carve through the brass and reveal the iron below, the brass become a highlight on the black iron. A note of caution: I used a gas forge that is situated in a very well ventilated studio to melt the brass. After pickling I could see that the zinc has burned of in some places, leaving a layer of copper. Zinc fumes can be fatal! Do not try this in an enclosed space! Your questions and comments are welcome Tiaan Edited February 24, 2014 by Tiaan Burger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Higson 78 Posted February 24, 2014 Beautiful carving! If you don't mind me asking, how solidly does the brass stick/weld to the steel? Cheers, JH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles Hebbard 2 Posted February 24, 2014 That came out really nice Tiaan, I'm doing something similar, but will use an ocxy-accetaline tourch, and see how it works... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R.H.Graham 5 Posted February 24, 2014 Wow, just, wow...neat technique. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Olivo 0 Posted February 24, 2014 nicely carried out. I like the effect you got. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 2,067 Posted February 24, 2014 COOL! I've seen filework filled with brass that way, but never thought to just lay on the brass and then selectively carve it away. I tip my hat to you, sir! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiaan Burger 40 Posted February 24, 2014 Beautiful carving! If you don't mind me asking, how solidly does the brass stick/weld to the steel? Cheers, JH Thank you all. James, the brass sticks so well that I have to remove a thin layer of the iron as well as the brass when chiseling to get clean iron for the background. The zinc does tend to "gas out", forming a bit of porosity in places. This is easily removed to get to a good brass layer underneath. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richard van Dijk 156 Posted February 24, 2014 That is a fantastic result, I really like that look. Richard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Higson 78 Posted February 24, 2014 Amazing, I have got to try this! JH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiaan Burger 40 Posted February 26, 2014 Two more photos: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2Tim215 1 Posted February 27, 2014 Stunning Tiaan!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B. Norris 9 Posted February 28, 2014 Great technique and a quite beautiful result! ~Bruce~ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBranson 2 Posted February 28, 2014 This definitely has me intrigued. Very nice effect. Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
