"I'm not really a Damascus fan, but I do like a simple Damascus on certain knives. 9"
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black mamba knives
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Anyone else noticing printed "Damascus" creeping into the collectible side of the hobby?
Started this discussion. Last reply by J.J. Smith III 14 hours ago. 1 Reply 1 Like
Been collecting folders and fixed blades for about twelve years now, mostly American made stuff from the mid century on up, and lately I keep running into the same problem at estate sales and swap…Continue
Handles that keep changing after you buy them
Started this discussion. Last reply by J.J. Smith III 14 hours ago. 3 Replies 0 Likes
The part of a collection that keeps moving is the handles. I think the handles are the most underrated thing in knife collecting.Steel does what it does and then stops. A blade you put away in 1990…Continue
How Far Should You Go When Restoring an Old Knife?
Started this discussion. Last reply by black mamba knives Aug 23. 2 Replies 2 Likes
I keep thinking about this. How much do we actually restore a knife before it no longer feels like the original knife? A light clean and a fresh coat of oil are obviously fine. Grinding out old…Continue
Forged vs. printed Damascus — how do you tell, as a collector?
Started this discussion. Last reply by black mamba knives Aug 15. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Been forging Damascus here in Memphis since 2009, and one question I getconstantly from first-time buyers is how to tell a forge-welded and foldedpattern apart from a printed or acid-etched one on…Continue
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Latest Activity
2021 CalendarJ.J. Smith III replied to black mamba knives's discussion Anyone else noticing printed "Damascus" creeping into the collectible side of the hobby?
2021 CalendarJ.J. Smith III replied to black mamba knives's discussion Handles that keep changing after you buy them
"Good read.
I, for one, love the changes that scales take on over time."
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to black mamba knives's discussion Handles that keep changing after you buy them
"Haha, you explained it perfectly. I know what you mean.
There’s a big difference between knowing something and actually noticing it.
That’s what I like about natural materials too. Wood, stag, bone and horn all change with time. Those…"
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives posted a discussion
Anyone else noticing printed "Damascus" creeping into the collectible side of the hobby?
Been collecting folders and fixed blades for about twelve years now, mostly American made stuff from the mid century on up, and lately I keep running into the same problem at estate sales and swap meets. Printed Damascus. Not just on cheap new imports either. I am starting to see it on knives being sold as collectibles, sometimes with a story attached about how old and rare the blade is.The frustrating part is that at a glance it can look right, especially if the knife is old enough that the…See More
"What a great thread here Mamba - this is one of those topics where I knew this, but did I take it to heart?
I take pride in being the "Worlds expert" on the pieces I own, whether it's a knife, bayonet, or sword. And while I know a lot…"
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives posted a discussion
Handles that keep changing after you buy them
The part of a collection that keeps moving is the handles. I think the handles are the most underrated thing in knife collecting.Steel does what it does and then stops. A blade you put away in 1990 looks about the today if the blade was stored properly. The handle does not work like that all.Stag darkens and the colour shifts over decades and no two pieces do that at the rate, which is why matching a replacement scale to an old knife almost never looks right. Bone takes dye. Then wears back…See More
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to Kevin D's discussion For those who Question - A Knife Identification Thread in the group BOX FULL OF KNIVES
"Haha, exactly. That’s what makes collecting so much fun. You never know when a knife has a little story behind it that you didn’t expect."
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to black mamba knives's discussion How Far Should You Go When Restoring an Old Knife?
"I think the purpose of the knife makes a big difference. If it is a knife with a lot of history, I would rather keep as much of the original character as possible, even if that means leaving some honest wear or light pitting. If it is going back…"
"Oh yes!
I am completely onboard with this line of question. This question is one that I believe requires a decent deal of thought on that particular knife, the intent of the knife for future use, and of course an honest appraisal of your skill…"
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives posted a discussion
How Far Should You Go When Restoring an Old Knife?
I keep thinking about this. How much do we actually restore a knife before it no longer feels like the original knife? A light clean and a fresh coat of oil are obviously fine. Grinding out old pitting or replacing the original handle changes the look of the knife.I wonder where people here draw that line on knives that have history instead of just being shelf pieces. Does it depend on whether the knife's meant to be used again or just preserved as it is?See More
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to Kevin D's discussion For those who Question - A Knife Identification Thread in the group BOX FULL OF KNIVES
"I always find it interesting how a collection starts. Sometimes it is not even about the knife itself at first but about who you got it from. A small old pocket knife with some family history behind it can end up meaning more than a much more…"
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives joined Jan Carter's group
BOX FULL OF KNIVES
A place for our smaller groups to call home with their fellow collectorsA-Z index for the Box of KnivesSee More
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives joined Terry Waldele's group
Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement
This group is hosted by D ale, for knife enthusiasts who are interested in repairing, modifiying, restoring or improving knives, including fixed blades, folders and automatics of all types.See More
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to Jack Haskins, Jr.'s discussion Morakniv fixed blade re-handle in the group Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement
"The handle really changed the whole personality of this knife. I like projects like this because the original blade can be pretty ordinary but a well thought out handle makes it feel completely different. Using leftover material also makes the…"
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to Ms Data's discussion Who Has The Best Steel? in the group STOCKMAN PATTERN GROUP
"Steel is one of those things I keep noticing more the longer I handle knives. Two blades can look almost identical but feel completely different when sharpening and using them. I still enjoy trying older carbon steels because they have a character…"
Profile Information
- Profile
- KnifeMaker
- How did you hear about iKnifeCollector?
- social media
- Do you currently subscribe to any knife publication (offline)
- No
- How long have you collected knives?
- 1-2 years
- Favorite Kind of Knives
- hand forged
- About Me
- Hand-forging Damascus in Memphis, Tennessee since 2009.
Black Mamba Knives is Mark Kovalsky's shop. He came to the forge from the
jeweler's bench and started with a coal forge and a secondhand anvil. He still
works the blades himself.
We forge our own Damascus rather than buying patterned stock. A printed pattern
sits on the surface; a forged one goes all the way through the steel, which is
why it cannot wear off. Finished blades are held at 58-60 HRC — harder steel
holds an edge longer but chips when it meets bone, and softer steel rolls.
We make hunting fixed blades, folding pocket knives, balisongs, chef and kitchen
knives, swords, axes and full custom commissions.
Happy to talk process, steel, heat treat or pattern welding with anyone here.
Ask away.
blackmambaknives.com
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- At 19:45 on August 12, 2026,
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Latest Activity
2021 CalendarJ.J. Smith III replied to black mamba knives's discussion Anyone else noticing printed "Damascus" creeping into the collectible side of the hobby?
2021 CalendarJ.J. Smith III replied to black mamba knives's discussion Handles that keep changing after you buy them
KnifeMakerblack mamba knives replied to black mamba knives's discussion Handles that keep changing after you buy them
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