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Damascus...Carbon Knives

I would like to get a discussion going on Damascus Steel. There is alot of damascus out there containing all kinds of elements good and bad. Some end up as quality knife steel while others fall short of the mark. A knife containing carbon steel and nickle, I would consider it a carbon steel damascus. If we have members of this group [and I know we must] that have knowledge of damascus steel and its properties, please join in this discussion and help us learn more about it.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Harvey on June 26, 2011 at 14:56

Hi Robert,

Let me add to the bad elements, but I can do this 'cause I'm the groups token woodworker and don't know any better. The picture below, (above?) is a set of knives I made from an old had saw and the schools plasma-arc-cutter, and dogwood handles--from a tree what fell down across the street. But the Damascus part of it is the in the faux texture of the blade. An old trick from antique reproduction. You moisten a tissue paper in vinegar, wrinkle it up a little and put in on freshly steel-wooled steel -carbon / Damascus / otherwise, for a spell (overnight) Ala-kazam --"Damascus" steel.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Harvey on June 26, 2011 at 19:06

Christ-on-a-crouton guys. Calm yourselves! I merely meant to offer a little perspective form a different field. If you really want to do the Damascus steel thing, all you have to do is get in a time machinme and go back to 17th century Syria. "Cause now-a-days, they don't know for sure how they did it back then.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 26, 2011 at 19:22

Guys, I just want to learn more about damascus steel that is being used on knives these days. I know it's a complex subject but we still want to know more about it. That is sort of the thing, what makes good damascus and what makes bad? Lets knock it around and see what we can learn.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 26, 2011 at 21:14

Bill,

The alakazam method seems a great way to force an artful patina, thanks for the idea. I have a few old cheese knives I may try it on, they will look good on the table .

I am gonna take a look at those articles and the guy that says he has rediscovered "real" damascus.

Permalink Reply by Bill Harvey on June 26, 2011 at 22:03

Glad to be of some small help Jan. And that guy do indeed make some pretty stuff.

Permalink Reply by charles taylor on June 26, 2011 at 22:23

actually damascus is a generic term its called wootz or pattern welded steel ,and then u have the pakistan steel that if you look at it long enough you can see it pulling apart from itself lol and also the alabama "damascus " that in my own opinion isnt much better than pakistan damascus ,ive never owned any knives with either of these lower quaility steel and never would ...

Don said:

that's a good one... Christ on a crouton
there is a guy bob Kramer that claims to have re-discovered that method, called wooter if I'm not mistaken. he makes kitchen knives, very pretty Damascus in the wooten style.http://www.kramerknives.com/.

Bill Harvey said:

Christ-on-a-crouton guys. Calm yourselves! I merely meant to offer a little perspective form a different field. If you really want to do the Damascus steel thing, all you have to do is get in a time machinme and go back to 17th century Syria. "Cause now-a-days, they don't know for sure how they did it back then.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 27, 2011 at 10:25

James, I have heard good things about Alabama Damascus and I have seen some top makers using it. Please tell us more about it.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by tkotavuopio on June 27, 2011 at 11:13