Al Stohlman Brand Damascus Medium Round Knife

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Damascus is a location, and it should be called pattern welded steel. It isn't always medium, and high carbon steel. I know of some billets that are high carbon and pure nickel for contrast.

I would say that these knives are using "Damascus steel" as a marketing ploy-look where they are made.

One of the top knife makers in the USA lives down the road from me in Henderson NV. He makes his own billets of pattern welded steel, and creates beautiful , and fully functional, blades with them.

[BillB]

Phatdaddy,

I think you did right by going and looking at the product. First off, I do not like product bashing. If it was not for Tandy we would never get new folks into leather crafts. Just like any product line, there are high end items and lower end items. Cost always has to come into the equation as to the value of an item. WyomingSlick did a good job on hitting on a number of topics one needs to consider when looking at a knife. One thing that was not touched on was the amount of usage the item would receive. I have been doing leather as a hobby for over 30 years and do not use the items like someone that is doing a business so my requirements are different than someone that is doing this for a lively hood. The best knife I have is one that was custom made for me 40 years ago out of Auto Suspension Spring Steel. The sharpest knife I ever used was a Gerber Stainless Steel Hunting knife which was hallow ground (concave bevel on both sides of the edge). It would hold an edge for a year, but had to go back to the factory for sharpening. In this case, it was as sharp as a razor since we did use it to shave with.

So here is my two cents: Figure out what you need, what you can afford, and what you plan to use it for, then go shopping and find the knife that fits your needs and not someone else.

BillB.

[cybertracy]

My first round knife was an earlier (3 years back) Stohlman from Tandy, and I've since moved on & spent more on a second. I would like to say I'm glad I bought the Stohlman first, I learned to sharpen it and may not have tried on a more expensive blade (it took me a few tries and varying techniques to get it as sharp as I wanted). I also probably would've cut off my hand with a bigger, sharper version until I fully understood how important it is to keep all appendages, pets and children BEHIND the blade in motion! I understand dull knives are more dangerous than sharp ones, but in my case that applied more when I used the blade correctly than when I was first learning. Sharpened correctly, and stropped often, I still grab the Stohlman to make straight cuts on less thick leathers or to lop off chunks when needed.

[GoldenKnight]

I have the Al Stohlman Damascus (SUS410 High Carbon stainless steel) medium (4 1/2") round knife that I got new & on sale. I have used it on my projects & it has replaced my utility knives, my scisors, and shears for most general purposes. I have had the privilege of using Osborne, Leather Wranglers, and some no-name versions as well as the regular (non Damascus steel) Al Stohlman round knife.

THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS THE LESS EXPENSIVE AL STOHLMAN. The Damascus version is better steel, holds the edge great, and is a quality knife. I may buy another knife of a different size for other purposes, but I really like this Damascus steel round knife. The micro layers of the Damascus process seem to act as micro cutters that help you to slice accurately through leather.

You will be able to cut curves and precise corners as well as straight even cuts, skive, and bevel cut

Knowing how to use this knife is probably the biggest hurdle to most. A good understanding of how thiwith ease. s knife is used will make all the difference in the level of satisfaction one experiences from this or any tool.

I don't work for Tandy - just an occasional customer - but do own this knife and this knife I'd on special right now.

Edited May 7, 2012 by GoldenKnight