Damascus Knives (for you tool makers)

[Nancy-G]

I know nothing about tool making but the new edition (June 2003, Vol 64, Issue 6) of Missouri Conservationist magazine arrived today and it contains a great article on hand forging Damascus steel knives. I checked the magazine's site http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/
and it's still showing last month's edition, but should change soon. The article has some beautiful photos but I couldn't understand a word.

I actually have a Damascus carving knife. Unfortunately, Damascus does not work well for carving due to the layers dragging on the wood. Also, when you sharpen Damascus, you lose some of that beautiful layered look.

Based on my discussions with knife makers and reading I have learned a little. Some use old guy wire like for power poles. It is built up in the forge by folding over numerous times the molten steel. It was used in early shot gun barrels. Very preety and collectable. I agree as a funtional tool it would be hard to maintain. Note, I do not own one so I am not sure about how they would work in real life. Ask to try before you buy if at a show.

[Captain_Bandaid]

What we call 'Damascus' is actually pattern welded steel. True Damascus steel is something quite different that occured as a result of impurities in the steel rather than by layering. Pattern welded steel can be absolutely stunning but a bit of overkill for a carving knife. Â*The pattern is created by alternating layers of high carbon and low carbon steel being forge welded together. Â*After polishing, the blade is deeply etched with acid. Â*If the forge welding is done improperly, it leaves voids in the pattern that will corrode and crack. Â*However, if done correctly, it results in a very hard, very tough blade. Â*At a very high price. Â* I will stick with plain old high carbon steel, thank you.

BTW, if you want to see some spectacular pattern-welded blades go to: http://www.atar.com .

Cap't.
Here are a couple sites you might find interesting, (Tom is my nephew).
I taught him everything I know about knifemaking and it didn't even slow him down. He quit a 100,000.00 a year job to be a knifemaker; I think he made the right decision.
http://www.bladegallery.com/knives/m...play=Tom+Ferry
http://www.knifeart.com/timchucbyb.html

[Captain_Bandaid]

WOW! Rick, your nephew makes some incredible knives! And he only has to sell two of those $1000 knives per week to equal his previous salary! Hope he does even better!

[mdallensr]

I saw a knife-maker in a show last summer, and his specialty was Damascus knives. He also made conventional carving knives. He was a typical carver, and took a lot of time to explain how he made the knives. You can buy the blanks and make your own; knid of pricey but not outrageous. Now I'm going to have to dig up the brochure he gave me on the knives and buying the blanks. BTW, he didn't even pretend to use the Damascus knives for carving, as Cap'n noted. Pretty to look at, but no fun for carving.