Crack along spine of Damascus knife

[Mind the tip]

Hello, I purchased a custom Damascus knife from a knife maker on a Sig firearm forum. I’ve owned it for a while now, but it sat unused in the sheath in a safe until just recently due to some health issues with our son when the blade was purchased. When I got it out to put it in the rotation, I discovered the spine has a crack over 2” in length. It can be felt with the fingernail very prominently along the entire length.

I asked the maker about this, and he was very reassuring that this is not an issue. After a few back and forth emails, below is the final message. I don’t have the knowledge to know if indeed this is a cosmetic issue, or if my concerns are warranted.

“I spoke to Peter‘s heat treating today about the issue that you’re having with the knife. They have done all my heat treating over all the years I’ve been doing this, and they agreed if it was an issue with the layering and fractures of the Damascus that it would’ve opened up With heat treat. I know this this may bother you, but I would not have sent it to you if it was not going to be structurally good.”

Now he is a very nice gentleman, and I purchased another knife very shortly after that I have been using, and it is great, albeit with no visible issues on that blade. So I’m just looking for opinions from those here with vastly more knowledge than I possess on this subject.

 

[Synov]

It's a cold shut where the steel failed to weld. Depending on how deep it is, it could still pose a structural problem, but going along the spine is much better than across the blade. It should not have been sent out though and they really have no way to tell whether it's safe to use without grinding through it. I would return it or use it lightly.

 

[Arathol]

The steel is delaminating. Its a maker issue, nothing to do with the heat treating process. The more you use it more it could separate. If thats carbon steel, corrosion can start inside the crack and that can slowly wedge it open more. Return it, get a refund, you can't really use it like that. Is this from a reputable maker? That blade looks pretty rough, like the stuff made in India and Pakistan....

 

[norcalAF]

What's up with the edge?

 

[Danke42]

Nail it up on the wall as a reminder not to buy another knife from that guy.

 

[DocJD]

he was very reassuring that this is not an issue

Just IMO , but this looks like a poorly made (and sharpened) junk knife from India or Pakistan .

I suspect seller is full of , scam artist .

I would demand a post paid return and full refund !

P.S. In future , best to ask here before you buy !

 

[Synov]

Also, there appears to be a dark line on the right side of the blade along the entire secondary bevel. Is that the same delamination???

Unless you ordered a 2 blade congress fixed knife, I would return it right now.

 

[Mk-211]

Also, there appears to be a dark line on the right side of the blade along the entire secondary bevel. Is that the same delamination???

Unless you ordered a 2 blade congress fixed knife, I would return it right now.

I saw that also, figured that's what others were mentioning.

It needs to go back, maker should replace it, a defect like that isn't good for business.

 

[scorpnsnake]

Alright man. The grease is hot. Drop em on in. Who sold you that and then told you it was fine?

 

[eveled]

Nobody in their right mind would consider that OK.

If you paid a lot for it, I would demand a replacement or refund.

If you paid a small amount just write it off as a learning expense.

If he doesn’t treat you right he deserves to have his name released to the knife community.

 

[edgelion]

Oh, that's the Rob Liefeld treatment. Yeah, like Shatterstar's swords. Kinda. Might be a collector's item if you can get it signed.

Otherwise, what everybody else said.

 

[polish avenger]

What reputable maker doesn't stamp/etch/engrave his mark?

 

[Eliteone2383]

Nobody in their right mind would consider that OK.

If you paid a lot for it, I would demand a replacement or refund.

If you paid a small amount just write it off as a learning expense.

If he doesn’t treat you right he deserves to have his name released to the knife community.

Pretty much this. It's ok to tell whoever sold you that knife that it's unacceptable. You are way more lenient than most op.

 

[scorpnsnake]

I'd venture to say, it's a kindness to rest of us knife junkies. Like laying a coat over a mud puddle for all of us. We're all cool right? Come on he's got a hot date, under the bus. lol

 

[Chris*33]

It looks like it has a backup bevel for the secondary bevel and then the edge! Maybe it's the light playing tricks on me, but close to the ricasso, there looks to be even an extra surprise bevel to support the other two??
The ''I own it for a while now'' part makes it difficult to return i guess, but a knife like this should never been sold. It looks like someone's very early attempt at a knife, the kind that should end up on a pile of early mistakes on the way to make something acceptable to sell.
Despite having it for a while (depends on the length of the 'while' of course) you should insist on a refund.

 

[polish avenger]

OP, if you're still hanging around, is there a chance you might share a picture of the sheath that came with that knife?

 

[Richard338]

My guess is that he's as annoyed as you are right now. People who make their own damascus also do the heat treatment and don't send it to Peters'. He likely bought a billet somewhere to do stock removal with. Even the cheapest options aren't cheap. You should ask him to confirm this, and who made the billet. Perhaps they'll make it right for both of you.

 

[polish avenger]

Or, better yet, call Peter's yourself and see if he's on the up and up.

 

[Eliteone2383]

Or, better yet, call Peter's yourself and see if he's on the up and up.

Good suggestion right here!

 

[TC]

Pics #3 and #4 I see a whole lot more, if less pronounced, delaminations running parallel to the big one. I would not argue with those who suggest the knife was made in Pakistan.