Damascus blade knives

[Chubbo]

Damascus Steel

First off, remember, all Damascus steel isn't the same. Just because somebody calls it "Damascus," doesn't necessarily mean that it's high quality.

Here...let me quote from the "Ask a Knife Maker" site:

"First, let's do a little freshening up on what exactly "Damascus steel" is. Damascus, Wootz, and patternweld are all names given to different types of steels and blades. Basically, the idea is that two or more steel alloys are forged/cast together through various methods to give the wavy artistic pattern that comes from such a layering process. Unfortunately, the technique for making both Damascus and Wootz steel has been lost to the centuries. Anyone claiming to be making authentic Wootz/Damascus these days is delusional. Or lying..."​

What we refer to as "Damascus steel" today is really "pattern-weld." In other words, a combination of anywhere from two to five different steels combined in a wavy pattern....not actually folded together as in true Damascus.

What constitutes quality is the types of steel used in the pattern-welding. If you use cheap steel, you get a cheap knife....but it looks pretty.

Bottom line...all Damascus steel is not the same.

I believe Mule Packer hit the proverbial "Nail on the Head", with his description of today's "Damascus Steel". Of course, the original true methods of producing "Damascus Steel", have been lost, over many centuries. Even the old fable, about tempering the steel, by plunging the red hot blade into the body of a slave, killing him, and thereby tempering the steel. I believe that today's "Damascus Steel" is intended, mainly for it's pleasing appearance, to some of us, Although It can be made for field use, why use it, when all of the modern, and superior steels are available? It all boils down to choosing what "Flops Your Mop". We can enjoy it, or just look in the other direction. "My two cents worth".

Chubbo

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Camels don't have antlers? I have no idea why you said that. Please explain, sir.

It just needed to be said

 

[Birdgun]

It just needed to be said

If your mother was a sewing machine,
And your father was a lawn mower,
It would take 13 pancakes to cover a doghouse,
Because baseballs don't have feathers.


It just needed to be said.

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[deadin]

So.. Is an original Japanese sword closer to the original Damascus steel? It is folded, (not shaken...)

 

[Chubbo]

Picked up this Bowie two weeks ago. Transitional Damascus forged by Karl Anderson. He put it all together into a takedown. Sheath by Scott
Teaschner.

TXSWFAN:
That knife Sir, is a true work of art! The "take down" concept is new, and fascinating to me. When you first look at it, you think it is utterly simple, but, then, it dawns on you, how complex it is, and the thought, and skill needed to design, and make it. What is the beautiful wood used to make the handle? It looks like walnut to me? The wood, like the knife itself, gets it's beauty from the plain, semi gloss finish and the natural beauty of the wood. The leather sheath is superb, and compliments the knife. I will never be able to own a knife like that one. Thanks for sharing your's with all of us.

Chubbo

 

[shouldazagged]

If your mother was a sewing machine,
And your father was a lawn mower,
It would take 13 pancakes to cover a doghouse,
Because baseballs don't have feathers.


It just needed to be said.

God bless,
Birdgun

How dare you impugn, nay, ridicule my proud lineage, sir? True, my mother was a singer, but my father was a manure spreader, and good at it!

My seconds will call upon you in the morning.

 

[colt_saa]

I Love Damascus

There are MANY modern Master Knife Smiths that will spend 2-3 weeks or longer at their forge to create a billet of steel that will make a single knife blade. Here are just a few examples of some of my favorites

Jerry Rados is well known for his Turkish Twist Damascus

I have always liked the work from André Anderson who hails from northern of Sweden

World Renowned filigree master Zaza Revishilli produced this piece

I was carrying this Rick Eaton folding fighter Saturday

Larry Feugen produced this set

There are so many more out there that are just a pleasure to look at.

 

[Birdgun]

colt_saa, those are absolutely "WOW" knives. Thanks for showing them.

Birdgun

 

[TXSWFAN]

TXSWFAN:
That knife Sir, is a true work of art! The "take down" concept is new, and fascinating to me. When you first look at it, you think it is utterly simple, but, then, it dawns on you, how complex it is, and the thought, and skill needed to design, and make it. What is the beautiful wood used to make the handle? It looks like walnut to me? The wood, like the knife itself, gets it's beauty from the plain, semi gloss finish and the natural beauty of the wood. The leather sheath is superb, and compliments the knife. I will never be able to own a knife like that one. Thanks for sharing your's with all of us.

Chubbo

Karl is a Journeyman Smith. The fit is spot on. Hopefully, he'll be trying for his MS rating soon.

The handle is made from Hawaiian Koa.

 

[DevilDog72]

and...

I would bet 2 bits that Packy knife will cut the livi'n out ya. I got one myself.

 

[Chubbo]

I Love Damascus

There are MANY modern Master Knife Smiths that will spend 2-3 weeks or longer at their forge to create a billet of steel that will make a single knife blade. Here are just a few examples of some of my favorites

Jerry Rados is well known for his Turkish Twist Damascus

I have always liked the work from André Anderson who hails from northern of Sweden

World Renowned filigree master Zaza Revishilli produced this piece

I was carrying this Rick Eaton folding fighter Saturday

Larry Feugen produced this set

There are so many more out there that are just a pleasure to look at.

Colt_saa:
I can' imagine, what any one of those superb knives, would cost, the time devoted to making one, and letting anyone else have it at any cost. I will never be able to own a knife of that perfection, but I do enjoy viewing true art. Thanks for sharing that art with us.

Chubbo

 

[David LaPell]

I made this knife a few years back. The antler came from a small four point buck that ran into the side of my Jeep one cold December night. After I got the blade all fitted, I added the penny that I found a few years back. It make a great little patch/skinning knife.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I labeled these "modern Damascus" for a reason - I believe they are made locally using some form of "modern" technique. The small one I might not ever find again but the larger one is of a type sold by folks I can see anytime at the Big Town Gun Show in Mesquite. I will ask them about the technique used next time I see them and report back.

I will say this - they are both very sharp. When I am in the mood to be pompous I take the larger one with me to go out to dinner to cut my own steaks with - which is why I bought it! Usually, it stays home. But sometimes........

PS:

They were not very expensive. Not 10 bucks or cheap like that but not 200 bucks, either. Somewhere in between.

 

[Chubbo]

I made this knife a few years back. The antler came from a small four point buck that ran into the side of my Jeep one cold December night. After I got the blade all fitted, I added the penny that I found a few years back. It make a great little patch/skinning knife.

David:
I like your Knife, and the interesting story that goes along with your making it. The date of the Indian head penny, that you used, 1906, is one year newer, than the one that I have, to commemorate my Mom's birth date, 1905, and two years newer than the one that I have, to commemorate my Dad's birth date, 1904.

Chubbo