Absolutely can be done, Pics below are a couple I did years ago using only my anvil, gas forge an 8 lb hammer with a 12-14 inch long handle and a stronger right arm than I have now!

EDIT: As far as 'secrets' it is the same as any method, hand hammer, press or power hammer. billet preparation and getting the welds set before drawing. Then it's all you and the hammer.

For about 3 years after I learned to create Damascus, I did it all by hand.

If so, what’s the secret?

There really is no "secret", beyond determination and lots of hours of hard work.

When I produced my first Damascus Bowie, I was full time military, working 12 hour shifts, 6 days on/3 days off. EVERY evening after work I spent 3-4 hours building a 320 layer billet for that knife.... it took a bit over 6 weeks to produce the billet and a profiled blade.

This San Mai Bowie is was my first successful forge weld and was done with no press or power hammer...

When I drew the billet into bar length I used bailing wire and duct tape to attach a 'spud bar' to the top of my anvil as a drawing die...

I have another anvil I used to keep everything square in between working it on the 'drawing die'. I should mention that while I would attempt this again, I vowed to just go use the hammer and press in my buddies shop next time. I didn't know I could hammer left handed until it hurt to much to hold a hammer in my right hand. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//laugh.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

Buenas tardes a todos

Es 100% posible, un buen amigo mio fabrico uno hace una semana solo a yunque y martillo.

adjunto la foto.

Prontamente quiero presentar un damasco también fabricado a yunque y martillo pero esta vez de mi mano.

Saludos desde Puerto Montt, Chile.

I am doing it now, it is just A LOT of work. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will lose a lot more material as well, since you will need to do so many heats in order to move the material by hand.

But it is possible, i haven't done any high layer counts yet, i think the most is around 64. I have found if i attempt much more than that i lose too much of the initial material by the end to make any decent sized knives. Another tip would be to start will small stacks say 8 layers or so, and just do a couple of them and then add them together later. The smaller starting stack is much easier to manager with just a hand hammer.

Hope that helps - Josh