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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: silvertip73 on January 03, 2011, 08:48:00 PM

Title: Damascus steel?
Post by: silvertip73 on January 03, 2011, 08:48:00 PM

I love knives and different styles but know little about the damascus steel.  Is it soft?  How does it hold an edge?  Is it just for looks?Thanks.

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: Emmons on January 03, 2011, 11:05:00 PM

It is for looks, but performs with the other steels if made from the correct high carbon steel and heat treated properly.  Normally damascus is made by forge welding two types of high carbon steels together, with one having a higher nickel content.  After the knife blade is finished it is etch in a acid, which attacks the two steels differently.  In a nut shell

James

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: Lin Rhea on January 04, 2011, 08:42:00 AM

Damascus has an aggressive cutting quality. It's because the layers meet at the edge and create a microscopic serrated edge.

Damascus is labor intensive which means it costs more in most cases. When made and heat treated correctly, it is awesome, not not only to look at but in the way it cuts and holds an edge.

This is the start of a damascus billet
  (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4868477455_0e21832ae4_z.jpg)

About midway of the process
  (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4869088286_4a6e755468_z.jpg)

A blade taking shape, but not forged to finish
 (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4855337346_01e983ae07_z.jpg)

A finished knife
  (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4990772712_dc891d4cd6_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: silvertip73 on January 04, 2011, 09:02:00 AM

Awesome!  Thanks for ther info.

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: skullworks on January 04, 2011, 06:57:00 PM

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/Skullworks02/KNIVES/RewoodBurlRipper.jpg)

I did this knife for a guy that uses it deer processing. It is 1095 & 15N20 nickel damascus. It has a RC hardness of 58. The last time I checked he had cleaned and skinned 80 deer with it and had only touched it up twice with a steel.

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: silvertip73 on January 05, 2011, 10:03:00 PM

How would I buy one of these, how much do they run?  Thanks.

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: madness522 on January 06, 2011, 06:04:00 AM

Thats a beautiful knife Lin!!!

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: skullworks on January 06, 2011, 06:10:00 AM

I'm in the process of getting some ready for sale. They'll be in the classifieds when I get them done.

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: kbaknife on January 06, 2011, 01:20:00 PM

Endless possibilities!
I love Damascus.
 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/kbaknife/Knives%2010/KHEweb.jpg)

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: Lin Rhea on January 06, 2011, 01:50:00 PM

That's another beauty Karl.Is that Koa?

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: kbaknife on January 06, 2011, 03:27:00 PM

Yes, Sir.

Title: Re: Damascus steel?
Post by: OconeeDan on January 08, 2011, 03:41:00 PM

Karl, that is a uniquely beautiful blade!  Had to go to your website for a better photo.
Good job!  Dan