Mokume-Gane

Sample bars of copper and nickel silver mokume-gane made for my university Final Major Project.

As part of my final project, I had read into the Japanese metalworking procedure known as ‘Mokume-gane’, in which mixed metals are laminated together to form woodgrain patterns. I was eager to have a go for myself, however the technique required the use of a forge which we didn’t have at university.

I sought out a blacksmith who would be willing to assist me in the forging of the mokume-gane, and was able to get in contact with Jake Hedge of Hedge Ironworks who was keen to help out. I worked with Jake for two days in his workshop making the mokume-gane, and also had the opportunity to learn some blacksmithing techniques at the end of the second day.

The process of making the mokume-gane involved guillotining and meticulously hand cleaning squares of each of the metals I wanted to use, before stacking them in alternating layers and placing them inside a heavy steel jig. The jig with the metal stack inside was placed into the forge, acting to apply pressure and assist in fusing the layers of metal together. After removing the fused stack from the forge, we were able to create the distinctive woodgrain patterns in the metal by twisting and forging.

I was able to roll out thin pieces of the mokume-gane using a jeweller’s rolling mill, and silver solder it into my sculpture of Saint Sebastian.