VG have you considered grinding a few bars of ready rolled Damascus bar stock?

As you undoubtedly already are aware its out there with reasonable pricing too.

https://www.knifemaking.com/category-s/754.htm

Closer to home here and there are some great patterns

http://damasteel.se/files/2114/1104/3562/Product_Information_Austenitic_Stainless_Damascus.pdf