Damascus blade

[Puller]

I stopped by a flea market today and ran across a local knife maker and his display of wares. One in particular caught my eye because the size and shape looks to be a nice sized skinning knife so I after fondling it for a few minutes I bought it.

A Damascus steel blade is new to me. Other than it looks cool and it has a sharp edge, is there any real advantage or disadvantage to a Damascus blade?

 

[MB3845]

If it is done right, it can make into a solid performing blade. Based on my experiences edge retention is not as good as some of the current super steels but very good none the less. If 1095 was used as one of the steels there is potential for rust. Visual appeal is always high and yours is loaded with it!

 

[jeffrefrig]

That's a really cool knife. But, I'm drawn to the handle. Is that some sort of artwork done on the handle or just how it came out.

 

[merl67]

I have done some Damascus out of 1095 and 15n20 steel . There is no real advantage over a similar monosteel blade. It's all in the aesthetics of the metal one is prettier than the other.

 

[colt_saa]

That is a beautiful blade and a nicely designed working knife.

I have been working in the ART Knife industry as a purveyor for the past decade now.

Damascus steel's main attraction in modern days is it's appearance. Current steel makers can control the look of the finished billet creating some extraordinary blades.

MOST Damascus steel will rust, keep a nice light coat of oil on that blade when it is in storage

Damascus steel used to carry the belief that it had some occult power. Many ancient swords were made with Damascus blades consisting of thousands of layers of steel

The Art Knife world takes Damascus to the Extreme with some very distinct patterns.

 

[Puller]

That's a really cool knife. But, I'm drawn to the handle. Is that some sort of artwork done on the handle or just how it came out.

A closer view shows it's the texture of the handle, it is kind of what attracted me to the knife as well. I suppose you could call it a deformity of sorts, but I like it.

Interestingly, the other side is a completely different material, certainly giving the knife a uniqueness.

 

[jeffrefrig]

That one side of the knife looks like an album cover like one for Yes, Uriah Heap, or Led Zep. Like some wizard's home could be on top.

 

[H Richard]

It will rust, so I'[d keep a coating of wax, (either Renaissance wax, or a good automotive wax). Looks like an ideal size for daily use, and the dasmascus pattern is beautiful.

 

[CA Escapee]

Talk to the maker if you can and ask what steel they used to make the knife. Damascus can be made from both carbon steel and stainless steel.

Here's Devin Thomas' website. Devin is a well known Damascus maker and a you could probably call him a "designer" of Damascus. Damascus Steel

There's some not-so nerdy info on the FAQ page.

His son Larrin Thomas has a website with a ton of info on knife steel called Knife Steel Nerds. Its at: Knife Steel Nerds - Metallurgy and Testing of Knives and Steel

 

[colt_saa]

If you would like to look at some of the more wild Damascus blanks that are for sale and a gallery of a few of the Master Smiths that have crafted knives from them, take a look at Organic Forge.

Available Large Stock - Organic Damascus Forge By Joel Davis Design

As used by others - Organic Damascus Forge By Joel Davis Design

This guy has done some awesome steel over the decades

 

[CA Escapee]

If you would like to look at some of the more wild Damascus blanks that are for sale and a gallery of a few of the Master Smiths that have crafted knives from them, take a look at Organic Forge.

Available Large Stock - Organic Damascus Forge By Joel Davis Design

As used by others - Organic Damascus Forge By Joel Davis Design

This guy has done some awesome steel over the decades

I could sit here and look at the patterns these guys come up with all day. Pretty amazing!

 

[H Richard]

I love everything but the prices.