silver clay and brass

[knifemaker]

Hi , I'm a newbie ....so hello all.

My question is ...can I over lay silver clay onto brass before firing it ?
The reason I ask is because I build custom knives and usually make my bolsters out of solid brass or nickle silver.

I wanted to try a couple in silver , but as a cost saving move ,would prefer to make them out of brass ,then coat or overlay it with silver.

any hints or advice , greatly appreciated , thanx in advance.

[Metalman]

The Art Clay Silver materials will not do the overlay process as you have described it.  Mainly due to the expansion/contractions factors between the metals. As you describe it, the best approach would be to make your items and silver plate them.  You could have this done commercially or learn about studio methods of plating that might work for you.  If you do your own, then you will be able to do a thicker plating surface.

[knifemaker]

Thanx for the info.