Affordable damascus knives?

A

Al Bain

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Oct 1, 2002
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Could someone give me recommendations for an affordable damascus knife? I'm thinking about a fixed blade hunter or Bowie, around 5" blade length. I guess the damascus part is mainly because I like those patterns; I'm open to suggestions for other materials from a purely functional point of view. My budget would be around $50, I think.
 
Originally posted by Al Bain
Could someone give me recommendations for an affordable damascus knife? I'm thinking about a fixed blade hunter or Bowie, around 5" blade length. I guess the damascus part is mainly because I like those patterns; I'm open to suggestions for other materials from a purely functional point of view. My budget would be around $50, I think.
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I may be wrong, but...
... I think you've got a little bit too small budget. :(

At least if we're talking about quality damascus and real damascus.

But, who knows, maybe second-hand you will find something...
... or from BA.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for replying. I did say that I was open to suggestions for other materials. What does "BA" mean, by the way? I'd really like some recommendations (brand names, etc.). Please don't pay too much attention to the damascus part of my question. If $50 isn't going to buy me a quality damascus knife, then I'll drop that idea. I'd still like a good knife, though (or is $50 too small a budget for that as well?). Hope someone can help a newbie out.
 
I also think $50 is too low for a good damascus blade from what I've seen. In that price range for any knife though, you couldn't go wrong by looking into the Benchmade Griptillian. They can be had for around $50-60 online and have gotten very good marks from people.
 
There is hope! Check with Ken Largin (Kelgin Knives). I have one of his small Bird & Trout knives with approx. a 2 3/4" damascus blade, brass guard and stag handle. He used to sell these for $50. A little smaller than you wanted but I just couldn't think of another maker who could fix you up.
 
The least expensive Bowie in damascus I've seen is the Bear MGC version for about $145. If you watch eBay or bladeauction, you may get the Bear Bowie for as little as $125, or so. Also, they have some large folders (usually Parker's) which sometimes go for as little as $50-60 dollars. Check all the local Pawn/Loan shops--often the owners don't know the value of damascus...
 
Thanks for all the suggestions!

By the way, are the Bear MGC damascus knives any good, blade-wise? I've heard there's a lot of low quality-damascus coming out of India and Pakistan, so it'd be nice to know what kind of quality I'm getting. $150, after all, is a lot of cash...
 
Originally posted by Al Bain
Thanks for all the suggestions!

By the way, are the Bear MGC damascus knives any good, blade-wise? /B]
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I had Bear lockback some time ago.

It had stiff action, finishing was so-so...
... and the truth to be told the damascus was just like somebody had wiped the blade with black (fine or medium point) felt pen :(

Someone may be happy with it, but I think it was far and away from that damascus used in my Fox (Italian maker) folders...
 
The best cheap damascus knives are (IMHO) @ www.valiantco.com

They have had some website/sever/email problems lately but they offer good damascus knives, they are fixed blades, some may be too big, for you, but you will not find better cheaper damascus.
 
If your budget allows, You may consider Pete's Custom Knife Shop from Buck Knives. Mine cost $115 I believe. Damacsus, Nickle silver bolster liner, finger grooves,and their Indigo Roylalwood.(looks like pre washed denom).I've had it since feb.Real good knife for the money.
guy
 
Again, thanks for all the suggestions. Instead of going the cheapest possible route, I figure I might be better off saving up for some time, and get a nice custom-made knife. I need to do some research on which smith to choose (eventually), but that's half the fun, I suppose.
 
Winston Knives makes some Awesome Damacsus fixed blades for around $150. You can see some of his work in the Custom Exchange :)
 
Al, saving up is the way to go.
No looking back then.
No shoe box full of neer-do-wells.
Check out the shop talk forum and look at the work put up there.
Lots of good forumite smiths doing great work.
And for pricing there is the for sale forum too.
Clean out the peanut butter jar and stick a dollar a day in there( or 2). At the end of a year you'll be in the KAK neighborhood!
The dreaming, plotting and scheming is half the fun!
Then comes the waiting and antici-pation :D
 
All damascus is not equal. There is a wide variety of looks and steel types. Best bet is not to buy a damascus blade sight unseen. Even with a custom maker, the damascus patterns can vary widely from one knife to another. Also, a lot of what makes damascus good is the final etching treatment that brings out the grain and patterns. This final treatment can also be highly variable.

My suggestion is to save your money and get a custom. A fixed blade 3-6" knife would be about $250 - 350. If you're a romantic, damascus should be hand forged. Damascus looks best when paired with the right handles, bolsters, etc. Swapping out stainless for damscus in a production knife, just doesn't have the gut-level appeal.
 
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