a Brief History of Patterned Metals
Patterned welded metals first appeared more than 1000 years ago when early sword smiths forge welded hard steel and soft iron together as one. The resulting patterns gave the new composite a unique beauty, retained the best qualities of hardness and flexibility, and were far superior to all other contemporary swords.
Over 300 years ago, Japanese artisans who mastered uniquely patterned metals in sword making developed a new process. By combining copper, silver and gold alloys with a careful forging technique they were capable of producing stunning patterns in dramatically contrasting colors. These new laminates enabled works unlike anything else. This process is known in the West by one of its pattern names, Mokume Gane (wood eye metal). Modern artists with mastery in the Japanese methods are so sought after that demand vastly out paces production and works are costly as a result.
Today, patterned metals are available in a new way from Stratabands. Stratabands has pioneered a new process that produces patterned metals affordably and in metal combinations previously thought to be impossible. By building on the legendary strengths and great beauty of traditional methods, Stratabands makes patterned metal a modern reality for everyone.
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