Damascus Knives

[Glendon]

They are not real Damascus. They have a thick solid core of steel, laminated with layers of thinner outer layers for appearance. This is not a quality knife.

Aaron

Did not know that. Ya, even I not having any real blade knowledge can figure out why that is a bad idea. No wonder they don't hold an edge. I'll keep saving too. The good solid utility knife with regularly replaced blades will do until then.

[oldtimer]

They are not real Damascus. They have a thick solid core of steel, laminated with layers of thinner outer layers for appearance. This is not a quality knife.

Aaron

I don´t even think the steel is laminated, I think the "Damascus" pattern is etched.

Buy an old knife, Gomph or Osborne, from Bruce Johnson, top quality.

"The older the fiddle, the sweeter the music"

Edited May 21, 2012 by oldtimer

[Knipper]

Aaron is correct. I'm not even sure that there are any "layers" at all. The pattern you see has been etched on the blade, and it does not result from forge welding multiple layers of steel together. They are using a variety of 410 stainless steel which contains .15 percent of carbon in it, and good knives require a minimum of 1 full % to get hard enough to take an edge ( I would accept anything down to .75 or 3/4 of one percent . They make no mention of any other kind of steel used in making the knife. "Damascus" or more correctly, "Pattern welded steel" usually uses at least two different types of high carbon steel (or high carbon stainless steel) when it is made. This knife has neither. 410 stainless was never intended to be a cutlery steel. Its used for tableware, pipes and pipe fittings as well as many other products. Can you get an edge on it? Sure...but you can also get a cutting edge on a tin can cover...yes it will cut...for about 6 inches before it starts to bog down cutting leather. Use what you like, but just be aware of the quality you are buying!

To put it in perspective, if I were to buy a piece of real damascus, (stainless or otherwise), to make a head knife, a piece that size would cost me around $200...more if from an established, famous maker of pattern welded steel. Selling one for that low price is a Dead give away. I don't even use the "good stuff" as it doesn't really cut any better that plain steel...it just looks prettier!

Knipper,

[deloid]

I I like my ancient 'rose' my old osbornes but they don't hold an edge long enough. I am pretty certain they were fine to start with but were abused at some point in their life. I'm going to make a version out of 1095, properly forged and heat treated. I prefer a slight convex geometry and I know this combo will make the edge remain sharp for very long periods of use. I'll put up som photos when I'm done.

Damascus is fine for admiring and does have some wear patterns as mentioned above that will help cut a tomato but for leather just stick to a high carbon steel.

[mike miller]

I bought a blank from a friend and am going to grind my own. it is made out of D2 and will hold a edge.

The other replies are correct if the damascus is that cheap, it is for a reason. It can only be decoration , not for use continually. A lot of the Pakistan damascus looks nice but the steel makeup is not the same as the steel most people use for edge holding.

[DavidD]

I was looking at this same knife because of the sale as well. I know the difference quality makes so I'll invest in a really good one and save myself some frustration. I highly value your advice, thank you!

[Chef niloc]

1337604184[/url]' post='248807']

I don´t even think the steel is laminated, I think the "Damascus" pattern is etched.

Buy an old knife, Gomph or Osborne, from Bruce Johnson, top quality.

"The older the fiddle, the sweeter the music"

Yes these are just made from cheep steel etched to look like Damascus