Mokume Gane, or wood grain metal, is a traditional Japanese technique in which two or more different metals are meticulously cleaned, alternately stacked, compressed and heated to a high temperature. The result is the fusing of all layers into a solid block of metal or billet. The billet can be made into sheet metal with a variety of patterns by repeatedly carving through layers and reducing the thickness. You will learn this process by making a silver and copper billet, forging and patterning your billet, and finally making a washer formed band ring. You will also have material leftover for using in your own creations.
