Forge Welding Nickel

So...forge welding pure nickel.

I had nickel that I wanted to use but it was really thin. So I thought to stack two layers of nickel in the billet and forge it all together...this was after I spent quite a bit of time shaping the wrought iron to the right size and thickness, it was to be the shell of the blade.

I got my forge going, heated the billet to forge welding temp and started setting the welds. As I started trying to work the billet I notice lines opening up. No problem, flux, heat, beat...repeat.

An hour later and things still do not look right.

Ok...I missed something, I have seen nickel used in knifes before...so I know it will weld. Ok, let's check the old internet.

"Forge welding nickel to itself.".....

"Nickel does not forge weld to itself". 😞

OMG...I thought this would be no issue. Well...the individual sheets of nickel welded nicely to the 1095 and wrought iron...just not to itself.