Cheapest damascus knife?

Cheap and Damascus do not belong in the same sentence. ;)NOT true Damascus that is. :)
 
Yep, that is about as cheap as they go. But they aren't true Damascus steel. Damascus blades can be quite expensive. I have a Buck 110 folder that was sold in Damascus with stag handles. Nice knife actually, but I suspect it was an early version of the etched damascus steel. I have no idea what they are worth these days, but you certainly don't see them around much. They sold for about $100 back in the early 1990's.
 
T.K.C. said:
Cheap and Damascus do not belong in the same sentence. ;)NOT true Damascus that is. :)
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If SMKW has it listed as Damascus it probably is. They will list etched Damascus as Damastine or "etched Damascus". In the past they have been very good about accurate descriptions of Damascus. That being said I agree with TKC. Just because it is made in the layered technique of Damascus does not mean that it is of any quality. These cheap ones may only have 5 or 6 layers of very soft steel that will not hold an edge. If you have the inclination and the money pick one up, try it out and let us know. It may be low quality or you may get a pleasant surprise.
 
I picked up one of these Boker Magnum Series Boker Magnum Series just to check it out because it was so cheap. It claims to be true 37 layer damascus. They're made in china and the one I got was well made, nice and tight. It had a nice edge on it when i got it but I can't comment on it's edge holding quality since I haven't actually cut anything with it.
 
Bear makes cheap damascus knives. But these aren't great quality. You get what you pay for, and you're not paying much.

I think perhaps the least expensive, quality, usable knife with a damascus blade is probably the Damascus Kershaw Leek. I haven't used it myself (just other Leeks), but I can't imagine that Kershaw would use crap damascus.

Remember that damascus, first and foremost, is decorative. While much damascus (like Devon Thomas, or many handmade pattern welded blades) is definitely useable, you'll almost always be sacrificing performance for looks. The best damascus will perform perfectly well, but there will always be better performing homogeneous steels, likely at a lower price point.

I'm personally not a fan of damascus; not from a performance standpoint, I just usually don't care for its looks. I takes a rare and special damascus knife to make me stand up and take notice. I just like my blades to be shiny.
 
I picked up a Mcusta damascus folder about 5 years ago that did glove compartment EDC seeing as how I forgot about it. I found it recently and am really taken with the simplicity and finish of the design. If you look at the spine of the blade you can see the layers. Nicely done and only about $100 as I recall.

http://www.mcustaknives.com/
 
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Most factory knives made in the usa regardless of maker uses damascus made by bear. I had a 512 layer bear that was a very good knife they just are not etched and aren't as pretty as a handmade knife or an etched factory piece. Oh by the way the damascus knives that smkw sells is true damascus but they are made in pakistan as are all the cheap damascus blades being sold by marbles and fox n hound as well.
 
The Bear MGC blades, made in Jacksonville, AL, are fine. They have the traditional 'micro-tooth' ability to cut - quite a shocker, considering the lacking of the traditional 'shaver' edge. BTW, never attempt shaving with Damascus - you probably can't afford the blood loss. I have a 597D and a Bowie, the perrenially $100 best buy/pound of Damascus, from Bear MGC in their Damascus - as well as the Kershaw Damascus Leek. My one other Damascus is a custom shop from Buck production 110 - in teardrop Damascus - very distinctive - and expensive.

Stainz
 
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