What is the process of forge welding?

Forge welding is an ancient technique that involves joining two metals by heating them until their surface molecules liquefy and then pressing them together.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

1. Heat the Metals: The metals are heated in a forge until the surfaces reach a temperature where the molecules start to liquefy.
2. Clean the Surfaces: Make sure the surfaces are clean to ensure proper bonding.
3. Press Together: While at the appropriate temperature, the metals are pressed together. If the conditions are right, the molecules intermingle, and the surfaces fuse.
4. Cool Down: Once fused, the metals are allowed to cool, creating a strong bond.

An analogy used by Murray Carter describes it as heating the ends of two candles until they are soft, then pressing the ends together to fuse into one long candle as the wax intermingles 1 Murray Carter.

This method contrasts with melting, where metals become molten and mixed. Forge welding maintains the unique characteristics of each metal layer 1.