Applications
One of the most famous applications of forge welding involves the production of pattern-welded blades. During this process a smith repeatedly draws out a billet of steel, folds it back and welds it upon itself. Another lesser-known application was the manufacture of shotgun barrels. Metal wire was spooled onto a mandrel, and then forged into a barrel that was thin, uniform, and strong. Often such objects are acid-etched to expose the underlying pattern of metal, which is unique to each item and provides aesthetic appeal.
Read more about this topic: Forge Welding