Best Damascus in the World..Input Requested..New Money Knifemaker Reality Poll 2010

[Snody]

Greetings Friends.

Thanks for taking time to view my thread,

What do think is the "Best Damascus in the World"

My personal favorites are Mike Norris and Devin Thomas.

Much Respect from Texas..

 

[Kohai999]

For stainless damascus, I only use Devin's steel when possible, and have been doing so for over 15 years.

For carbon steel it is hard to beat Delbert Ealy, Gary House, or Darryl Meier.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[dbl-edge]

What do think is the "Best Damascus in the World"

That's like asking what's the best beer in the world. I just found Full Sail amber and think it's wonderful, but there are those who think Bud is the best. :barf:

For stainless damascus, I have used Norris' and found it to be excellent. It should perform at the top level. For patterns and especially contrast and ease of etching I would say Chad Nichols.

For carbon, I use Delbert Ealy's steel most of the time for conventional and intricate non mosaic patterns. It has been absolutely flawless. I like the fact that it's made from O-1/L6. For mosaics I'd give Dave Lisch a call. Great stuff, and never a dull moment with Dave! I have used carbon damascus from Tom Ferry on several knives and it was awesome. He helped train Lisch. Bailey Bradshaw and I have discussed him making a billet or two of his damascus.

Pics are:
Etched blade of Lisch mosaic with a welded edge.
Sub hilt fighter with Ealy damascus.
Close up of sub hilt showing the steel on the fittings.
Persian from Ferry multi bar composite. Note the difference in the patterns on the one billet.

David

 

[Snody]

For stainless damascus, I only use Devin's steel when possible, and have been doing so for over 15 years.

For carbon steel it is hard to beat Delbert Ealy, Gary House, or Darryl Meier.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Thanks for posting..

Great Insight...

I also really like Eggerling Mosaic bolster material and the Sunfish Forge Mosaic blades.

 

[Snody]

That's like asking what's the best beer in the world. I just found Full Sail amber and think it's wonderful, but there are those who think Bud is the best. :barf:


Pics are:
Etched blade of Lisch mosaic with a welded edge.
Sub hilt fighter with Ealy damascus.
Close up of sub hilt showing the steel on the fittings.
Persian from Ferry multi bar composite. Note the difference in the patterns on the one billet.

David

Real Talk...You know me and my titles...

That Sub hilt is Just Outrageous...

People may argue about beer but no one will ever argue that the Worlds Best Knifemakers live in Texas...

Have a Great Weekend..

 

[Kohai999]

Thanks for posting..

Great Insight...

I also really like Eggerling Mosaic bolster material and the Sunfish Forge Mosaic blades.

I was referring to what was available commercially in billet form for other knifemakers, Mike.

If you are talking about straight out mind blowing damascus blades and pattern manipulation, then Don Fogg, C. Robbin Hudson,
Pierre Reverdy, Rodrigo Sfreddo, and J.D. Smith are all at the top of the game.

People may argue about beer but no one will ever argue that the Worlds Best Knifemakers live in Texas...

Sheit, amigo, everyone knows the West Coast is all about it.
Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Snody]

I was referring to what was available commercially in billet form for other knifemakers, Mike.

If you are talking about straight out mind blowing damascus blades and pattern manipulation, then Don Fogg, C. Robbin Hudson,
Pierre Reverdy, Rodrigo Sfreddo, and J.D. Smith are all at the top of the game.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

I hear you...

Your right, its two different worlds....

 

[Kevin Jones]

I would agree with David in that I'm not sure it's a question that can be answered as dozens of makers are producing outstanding examples on an ongoing basics.

Makers of note would certainly be Mike Norris, Devin Thomas, Gary House, Darryl Meier, Tom Ferry, Tim Hancock, Jerry Fisk, Harvey Dean, Steve Dunn, Rodrigo Sfreddo, Don Hanson, Roger Bergh, Owen Wood and on and on and on..................

 

[Snody]

I would agree with David in that I'm not sure it's a question that can be answered as dozens of makers are producing outstanding examples on an ongoing basics.

Makers of note would certainly be Mike Norris, Devin Thomas, Gary House, Darryl Meier, Tom Ferry, Tim Hancock, Jerry Fisk, Harvey Dean, Steve Dunn, Rodrigo Sfreddo, Don Hanson, Roger Bergh, Owen Wood and on and on and on..................

Thats a great post..

Who "what steel" do you think is the most collectible with the highest potential for resale in the secondary market in regards to a sub 4" fixed blade or folder...

In other words all other things considered equal which steel pays off with the collectors in the aftermarket?.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Makers of note would certainly be Mike Norris, Devin Thomas, Gary House, Darryl Meier, Tom Ferry, Tim Hancock, Jerry Fisk, Harvey Dean, Steve Dunn, Rodrigo Sfreddo, Don Hanson, Roger Bergh, Owen Wood and on and on and on..................

And then you get to Jerry Rados and the search is over.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Thats a great post..

Who "what steel" do you think is the most collectible with the highest potential for resale in the secondary market in regards to a sub 4" fixed blade or folder...

In other words all other things considered equal which steel pays off with the collectors in the aftermarket?.

You going to get me in trouble here but for

Higher end folders: I would say it's hard to go wrong with either Thomas or Norris damascus blade steel. They are pretty much the staple makers of damascus in this area though you see some Jerry Rados twist patterns, Owen Wood chevrons and others represented.

And smaller forged fixed blades:

Tim Hancock's designated "Fancy Hunters" which there are less than a dozen, each with very nice Hancock damacus blades/guard/furrule/frames are selling in the $3000+ range which is a premium over and above Tim's original prices.

Jerry Fisk's most desirable damascus Senderos and Gamemasters have gone from around $1500 to $2500+ in the last five years. Even more for the highly embellished and NLT models.

 

[bluejaunte]

And then you get to Jerry Rados and the search is over.

+1! Some of the most impressive pieces I have ever seen were from Rados damascus. John Lundemo did a massive zweihander all from one monster blade "blank" forged by Jerry.

 

[Kevin Jones]

And then you get to Jerry Rados and the search is over.

That's what I was getting at Karl, as you can't make a list without leaving someone very deserving out. You have John White, Terry Vandeventer, Kyle Royer, you, Dave Lisch, Shane Taylor. It's literally dozens of makers who can turn out an absolute incredible damascus blade on any given day.

 

[Lorien]

Pierre Reverdy...
:thumbup:

 

[peterinct]

I've also seen some spectacular damascus from Bruce Bump, Shane Taylor and Owen Wood to name a few not mentioned ....yet.

I think the anology to "best beer" is a good one.

Peter

 

[Don Hanson III]

Seems to me we're goin to eventually list all the damascus makers here

I feel the knife is more important than the damascus. If the knife is ugly, great steel
wont help. One must compliment the other


Just a side note; If anyone wants Devin Thomas steel, make sure you get it from Devin and not his brother

 

[David Wesner]

Seems to me we're goin to eventually list all the damascus makers here

Yep, I thought the same thing There are so many knifemakers producing fantastic looking patterns it would be hard to list them all.

FWIW, I haven't used a whole bunch of different Damascus, the one's I have used though, have been fantastic.

Delbert Ealy - Excellent, great cutters !! I love the L6/O1 combo !

Chad Nichols - Excellent, great patterns, easy etching, good steel !

Although more of a production product, I've had very good results with Damasteel

Kevin Casey is knocking out some great looking Damascus too. His Feather pattern, which I understand he's making available in billet form, is some of the most beautiful available, IMHO

That's my 2 cents



:thumbup:

 

[Bruce Bump]

Here is the last one for me.

 

[Snody]

And then you get to Jerry Rados and the search is over.

Real Talk...

 

[Snody]

You going to get me in trouble here but for

Higher end folders: I would say it's hard to go wrong with either Thomas or Norris damascus blade steel. They are pretty much the staple makers of damascus in this area though you see some Jerry Rados twist patterns, Owen Wood chevrons and others represented.

Thanks Man.... I was hoping I could get some heavy hitters to post in my thread..

I appreciate it...

That Fisk is incredible but then again the Treasure already knows that......

Respect from Texas