Damascus steel?

[silvertip73]

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.

[Emmons]

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

[Lin Rhea]

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
 

About midway of the process
 

A blade taking shape, but not forged to finish


A finished knife
 

[silvertip73]

Awesome!  Thanks for ther info.

[skullworks]

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.

[silvertip73]

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

[madness522]

Thats a beautiful knife Lin!!!

[skullworks]

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

[kbaknife]

Endless possibilities!
I love Damascus.

[Lin Rhea]

That's another beauty Karl.Is that Koa?

[kbaknife]

Yes, Sir.

[OconeeDan]

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