Ask A Knifemaker The Truth About Damascus steel

 

Brandon asks: Can you help me understand all these Damascus steel knives that I see? They look beautiful, but can just look? Is one of these making a good knife?

Yes, that's a big question. First, let's take a brief look at what is really "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 alloys are used / thrown together in various ways to provide a wavy art pattern from such a process. Unfortunately, how to do Damascus and Wootz steel has been lost for centuries. Anyone who claims to want to create a solid Wootz / iDameku in these days is delusional. Or lying 99.9999% of synthesized metal made in these days may be san-mai or pattern is managed (mokume and mosaic are a different thing all together) San-maize is very common in Japanese knives, and just as well is sandwiches 3 sheets of steel. Two outer stainless steels and a hard stinless steel or  carbon steel core make up the cross section of a San-mai blade. No arrests made by San-mai because the goal is that you have a strict, protective limit made of an empty metal but do not mix it.

Another type of pattern-welded steel is the so-called "Damascus steel". Originally used in the Middle East for sword making, the way has been lost since the 16th century. But the art form has risen, and in 1973 William F. Moran described the Dutch "knives" at the Knifemakers's Guild Show. From then on-the modern pattern-the steel blade welded was called "Damascus knives".

You asked what they were used for. Yes ... The process of selecting Damascus blade instrument is important. Most manufacturers choose 2-5 alloys to play well and make a good pattern. Once the knife is forged or ground to shape, waves of alloy steel will meet at the edges and you can change the blade performance by tweaking on the alloy and the heat control system.

For example, Devin Thomas is a master of Damascus steel maker. He forges all the billet himself and has not a scientific approach. Devin did everything that was defective in metal Damascus, in sharp contrast, twice as much as a cab, and many more patterns. When using AEB-L and 304 together, it is evident that some of the AEB-L's powerful features will be reduced down to 304. But remember - coupled together, different alloys on the sidewalk can make a small surface of serration, which helps in the operation of sawing or refining.

When it comes to them, most of today's super exotic alloys will exit over any patterned steel. Design and use of Damascus steel blade regarding personal style and timely respect and the process of developing such a route. Well-made Damascers will be more durable than many layers of production products, but if you look at end-of-the-earth metal, look elsewhere.

Like all articles related to knife, quality is primarily determined by cost. True "brand name" Damascus is a very high quality. Devin Thomas, Chad Nichols, Brad Vice, and Rob Thomas are all makers who make each ticket with quality and concern. The markers made to these guards will make fun knives. Unfortunately, cheap knockoff products from China, Pakistan and India show on Ebay and other online merchants all the time. These knives are empty and disappointing. Sixth rule is, if the price is too good to be true, it is.