Damascus head knife

[Storm]

I have seen and held both the new Damascus and the Al Stohlman round knives. The new one is impressive  but I will have to concur with what some have said. I have my doubts about whether or not it is a true Damascus stell blade. The way Tandy has been operating of late I would suspect if it was really the case. Besides a truely well made Damascus knife would be very pricey. I gravitate toward the Al Stohlman but even here we find that most of them have exposed brass pins in the handle that rise noticeably above the surface of the handle itself. Good steel and craftsmanship coupled with some sort of decent quality control is what we need to see. I would rather buy a high end Gomph for twice the money knowing that I was getting top drawer. Remember the old horse traders admonition:

"You never remember the price you paid for a very fine horse and you will never forget the price you paid for a bad one!"

Oh Ya and there is always Caveat Emptor....Let the buyer beware!

[particle]

Okay - having just gotten back from Tandy, where I held in my not so graceful hands the new Tandy Damascus head knife, I must now say It may be a laminated steel, but it's really hard to tell. The layering pattern seems to stop shy of the blade, right where the edge is ground down. If it were true layered steel, you'd still see the wave pattern carry all the way to the edge. Perhaps it's nothing more than a chemical etching process. Maybe it really is layered/laminated steel, with a REALLY thick center layer - but if that's the case, what's the point?

[hidepounder]

I've seen the damascus blades at Tandy and hefted it and looked it over...did not have an opportunity to cut with it. I thought the handle was not very well done and I just didn't get the feeling of holding a high quality knife. I'm sticking with the old Gomphs and Roses' that I have on my bench for the same or less money. I would rather spend more money and order a Dosier that will retain it's value rather than have a questionable damascus import. I'm not saying that they are bad....I just think there are better proven knives at that price level.

Bobby

[Tkleather1]

Okay - having just gotten back from Tandy, where I held in my not so graceful hands the new Tandy Damascus head knife, I must now say It may be a laminated steel, but it's really hard to tell. The layering pattern seems to stop shy of the blade, right where the edge is ground down. If it were true layered steel, you'd still see the wave pattern carry all the way to the edge. Perhaps it's nothing more than a chemical etching process. Maybe it really is layered/laminated steel, with a REALLY thick center layer - but if that's the case, what's the point?

In my opinion, the only point is that to someone who does not do any reasearch and is fairly new to the trade that knife "looks neat and different" than the rest of them. They are just trying to get some "curb" appeal is all.

The one that I looked at felt CHEAP and was dull as a hoe. Much like the Stohlman.

Just my opinion.

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[Frank]

Warning to anyone contemplating getting one of these knives. I did purchase one because I was allowed to use one prior and I found it to be super sharp right out of the package and never had a problem with it until today. While stropping the knife, the blade actually started to turn inside of the handle!! I'm damn lucky I didn't lose a finger or two. I called Tandy and he wants it back immediately. I'm guessing since they were a new arrival, pushing to get them out before the holidays, that some got overlooked on Q.A. I was extremely happy with the knife up until this point. If you have purchased one, check the tightness of the blade before an accident happens.

[Romey]

Damascus, or properly termed Pattern welded steel is only worth the parent steels and the proper heat treat of such. Pattern welded steel is all looks and no better or worse then however the person could make said item in straight steel. after that, its all looks.

Edited December 26, 2009 by Romey