THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DAMASCUS STEEL

If you have never heard of Damascus Steel before, you probably have never actively looked for collector’s knives. In this post, we will tell you all there is to know about the material.

Any enthusiast would recognize Damascus Steel to almost be from mythology. This is because it was an ultra strong steel alloy forged with different types of metals around Syria and areas nearby from around 750 to 1750 C.E. The distinguishing feature was its strength, sharpness and a watery design on the blade that was a result of metals beaten in high temperatures.

Apart from the manufacturing process and the unique combination of steels, the simple reason for choosing articles made of Damascus Steels is that they are sturdy, strong, reliable, long lasting and very attractive. The knives usually also have specialized handles that give them a comfortable and fast grip, which makes them ideal for just about any purpose.

As mentioned above, these knives are beautiful. Damascus steel knives have a wave-like pattern that appeals to consumers. They also come in a variety of different patterns which is fun to collect and their timeless design makes them an investment for the ages.

A knife is only as good as its edges and Damascus knife blades score full points in this regard. Since they are made of a combination of low carbon and high carbon steel, the low carbon steel wears out quicker which causes the knife to cut faster. Not only are they sharp, they are also low maintenance and longer lasting.

To put it simply, they need to be sharpened less frequently when compared to other knives. Further, if you have a pattern welded Damascus knife, then there is a high likelihood that they are made of stainless steel so they won’t rust either.

There is no one standard formula for creating Damascus Steel. Instead, it refers to the method  that is used to produce the blades. While all ‘modern’ Damascus Steel blades are a combination of different alloys of steel, they can be of different types and any number of alloys can be used to make the steel for any particular purpose.

This makes each blade unique since its creation and composition may be completely different from another Damascus steel blade. Also, as mentioned above, casting two or more steel alloys together creates a one-of-a-kind pattern that looks absolutely beautiful. Because of the reasons mentioned above, Damascus Steel knives are a weapon, tools, collector’s item and a piece of art.

• Cast Damascus Steel

This is the original Damascus steel which was made in India. However, the skills needed to make this have been lost and now there are very rare pieces left that are made of original Damascus Steel. Although there has been a lot of research and attempts to replicate the original material, to date there has been no success.

• Pattern Welded Damascus Steel

This is the type of Damascus steel that is available today and is made by two types of steel layered together and hammered to high temperatures so that the two materials are forged into one. This gives Pattern Welded Damascus Steel a watery pattern which makes it look quite similar to the original cast Damascus steel. Appearances, however, can be deceiving and what gave Damascus Steel its distinguishing traits was its manufacturing process and composition, both of which have been lost to time.

However, as the Pattern Welded Damascus Steel is the closest we can get to the original today, there are many copies available in the market today. Some items have metal surfaces etched on them to replicate the patterns, these are cheaper and more easily available. It should be noted that though the fakes look pretty, these patterns will fade with time while pattern welded steel will keep its patterns and sturdiness for years.

Some of the most common items made in Damascus Steel are knives. These can be the common use kitchen knives, or:

• Folding knives or pocket knives
• Flip-Flop knives
• Hunting Knives
• Carving knives
• Rigging Knives
• Skinners
• Bowers
• Serrated Knives

• If you are looking for premium high-quality Damascus Steel knives, Grizzly Blades has a collection that includes a treasure for every enthusiast. Whether you want a Damascus Steel item for practical usage, to add to a collection, or for a gift to someone who would appreciate it, we are sure you will find what you need. Though based in Toronto, we offer worldwide shipping so distance is not an issue in getting you your new favorite blade!