Damascus Bowie

[rodogg]

Just looking at this Bowie blank : http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/-Knife-Kits/Misc-Blanks/Misc-Blanks-Damascus-Clip-Bowie/p-92-881-882-6535/

Would you recommend it, what does everyone think about Damascus steel? I would just make the handle myself, no big deal, but would this be a good survival/bushcraft knife for heavy use, or is it more of an ornament? And how would it hold up to rust in wet Irish weather?

Thanks!

 

[marcinek]

Its a fighter blade made of mystery steel.

 

[LX_Emergency]

I suspect it's made by Ardous Enterprises in Pakistan. They do reasonable damascus. Nothing High End but good for general use. It's carbon damascus and will rust Badly if left unattended in the Irish weather. But if you dry it after use it shouldn't be a real problem. If you're really worried about rust and such you'd be better off buying something in stainless.

For use the damascus should hold a pretty decent edge though.

 

[corwise]

This doens't tell you what kind of steel is actually used to make the damascus. If LX_Emergency is right then it might be worth a shot. But remember that damascus in itself is not a type a steel but a mix of at least two types. It might suck and still be damascus. It might be very good. Depends on the maker and what he uses to make it. If you plan to use it I'd get something that you know what it is. Doesn't have to be a super steel, but a tool steel (D2?) or 440C would work fine. If it's just going to be a decoration then go with the unknown damascus. My $.02 at least.

 

[marcinek]

The type of steel used in that damascus is almost irrelevant. Would a hollow saber ground blade like that "...be a good survival/bushcraft knife for heavy use"?

Not to me. Hollow ground and not a good chopper, large enough to be an unwieldy slicer. Not a bushcraft blade. Its a fighter.

Steel is important, but design matters too.

 

[Trail Edge]

These are looking more for show, but I'm sure they sell

http://www.agrussell.com/bear-abalone-baby-bowie/p/BCHhhhAB00LD/

 

[Shamrockninja]

Those blanks are carbon steel, not the best "ebay Damascus" available, but not the worst either.
They seem to have a decent HT, but the edges are hit and miss.
I have some that are razor sharp, and a few that will need to be reprofiled.
They make nice knives, not really collectible qualityIMHO , but you could do worse.

Check the interwebz ebay for better pricing.
Ive built a few knives from those mystery blanks (or some identical pakistan damascus blanks) that werent bad, and seem to hold up well under normal use. ( not sure if I'd trust my life on one though)

I also have a couple knives made from quality damascus that are clearly better pieces.

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

Do a search for Alabama Damascus and check out their blades.