Raindop Damascus Pattern – Explanied

English Handmade Knives often gets asked how this pattern is achieved  – we hope this helps to explain the question

Start with a normal flat-layer Damascus billet — alternating high-carbon steel (1095, 1084, 1070) and nickel steel (15N20) for contrast.

The raindrop pattern requires additional attention but starts the same way as a ladder pattern. Instead of grooves, making evenly spaced holes or dimples. As the billet is forged flat, those depressions stretch and morph into circular, droplet-like shapes.

Grinding and acid etch later, the high-carbon layers go dark and the 15N20 stays bright, revealing the circles.

A step by step insight into the process step by step

To make a billet:

Stack, welded, and drawn out to 100-300 layers. For raindrops you need lot of thin layers — 180 layers of 1095C and 15N20 is a classic mix. Needs to be it fully welded.

Sizing
Extra is needed to play with. The billet is made about 3 x the desired finished thickness — for a 6.35 final bar, start at 14mm thick —  drilling about 1/3 of the way through on each side. That forces the layers down into the dimple without punching through.

Square it up dead flat on both faces.

Layout the grid:
A centre punch is used to mark the centers.  A staggered grid, 8-12mm spacing, 6-10mm diameter dimples, gives an even or the pattern looks chaotic

Drill or press:
Drill press with a twist drill or ball-nose end mill is the most appropriate. Depth 2-4mm depending on billet thickness.

Sometimes a large ball bearing or round punch under the press/hydraulic press is used for a more organic, less perfect circle.

Do both sides, offset if more depth is required  for a deeper pattern.

Forged flat
Heat to welding heat, then lightly forge the dimpled side back flat. Don’t drag the steel sideways or you’ll smear the circles into ovals. Just straight down pressure, flipping often. The layers crush into the holes and spread into rings, heat treat, hand sand is required 400-600 grit and etch in ferric chloride, light cycles, to bring contrast.

 

 

We have and extensive stock of blade blanks and ready made knives

BLACK BOG OAK HUNTER – Raindrop Northern Lights Version A 4,000 year old story in your hand

This Black Bog Oak Hunter is a one-of-a-kind handmade hunting knife from English Handmade Knives, combining ancient English heritage with modern Damascus artistry.

The handle is crafted from 8mm Black Bog Oak, carbon dated to 2,000 BC and recovered from East Anglia. Preserved for over 4,000 years in the fenland peat, this is one of the most rare and stable handle materials in the world – dark, dense and with a history you can feel.

It is paired with a Raindrop Northern Lights Damascus blade in 172 layers, offering both outstanding cutting performance and a striking pattern that catches the light with every move.

BLADE SPECIFICATIONS

Blade Pattern: Raindrop Northern Lights Version – 172 Layers
Blade Length: 130mm
Blade Depth: 30mm
Overall Length: 235mm
Thickness: 4mm
Grind: Scandi with secondary bevel
Weight: 278gms

HANDLE AND FITTINGS

Scales: 8mm Black Bog Oak – East Anglian, carbon dated to 2,000 BC

Liners: G10 – one black and one white, 0.8mm each side for contrast and stability
Mosaic Pins: Stainless Steel Flower Pattern Lanyard Tube: 6.35mm Stainless Steel

SHEATH
English Handmade Knives own design, built to last a lifetime.
Leather: 3mm veg tanned leather with welt for blade protection
Construction: Three layers connected via Chicago Bolts for strength
Carry: Retention tab and Dangler Belt Loop for comfortable field carry
Dye: Eco friendly Saddle Tan with satin finish

WHY COLLECTORS CHOOSE THIS HUNTER

– Ancient 4,000 year old Bog Oak you cannot source twice

– 172-layer Raindrop Damascus with Northern Lights pattern

– Scandi grind with secondary bevel for easy field sharpening and control

– Fully handmade in England, including sheath

Bushman Raindrop Damascus

Dimensions and Specifications
Length: 82mm
Overall length: 205mm
Blade Thickness: 4mm
Blade Material: Damascus Raindrop Pattern. 1084 and 15n20 in simple double high carbon nickel steel having a hardness of 58-60 after tempering
Layers: 264
Grind: Scandi Slightly Hollow (needs honing)
Fixing: 2 Holes will accept Bull and Lovelace Bolts
Lanyard Hole: 8mm

We have many more blades and ready made knives with Raindrop pattern, just search Raindrop on our website