Stuff a 4x4x6 inch steel tube full of ball bearings and pack in as much 1084 powder as will press into the box. Get her hot and forge it out. Some really cool patterns come up esp if you use different size bearings. I have done some chopping testing with these blades and they performed quite well when heat treated properly. Forging is also critical, make sure the soak time @ welding temp is adequate. I found 20-40 minutes after the billet turns same color of the inside of the forge. This will help eliminate open spaces and cold shuts. Sculpted damascus guard and blued spacer set off a wonderful piece of stabilized redwood lace burl.