Damascus knife, how to identify?

[Dextar]

Hi there,

I see the price of damascus steel knife varies in a so large scale.
How to identify it's real damascus or drawn one?

E.g. Damascus 1075 Stag Hunter w/ Leather Sheath is inexpensive, as well as Boker Magnum Damascus Bone 01MB180DAM. But Boker Germany Scout Stag Damascus Folder 112116DAM is expensive.

However, Spyderco Delica 4 Titanium Damascus is neither expensive nor too low price.


Is there a way to identify the real damascus or drawn one?
Could the in-expensive one real damascus?

 

[Blues]

We don't link to non-supporting vendors, so the links were removed...that said...from what I saw...the Chad Nichols damascus is a known commodity and the price was commensurate with such.

The other inexpensive blade does not give its pedigree and I'd guess it is from Pakistan, India or other Asian origin. This doesn't make it bad in and of itself, but it is not of a known quality in terms of material and heat treat. Might "look" better than it would perform, assuming you intend to use it.

It just depends what you are after but the fact remains that you will usually get what you pay for as there are few free lunches.

 

[Dextar]

We don't link to non-supporting vendors, so the links were removed...that said...from what I saw...the Chad Nichols damascus is a known commodity and the price was commensurate with such.

The other inexpensive blade does not give its pedigree and I'd guess it is from Pakistan, India or other Asian origin. This doesn't make it bad in and of itself, but it is not of a known quality in terms of material and heat treat. Might "look" better than it would perform, assuming you intend to use it.

It just depends what you are after but the fact remains that you will usually get what you pay for as there are few free lunches.

Thanks for letting me know. BTW, I re-edited it and keep the model name only. Please let me know if it's fine.

 

[braillediver]

the Chad Nichols damascus is a known commodity

The other inexpensive blade does not give its pedigree

There's a reason the 2nd is lacking information about its origin.

Also look at the number of layers and pattern of the more expensive damascus. More layers, more work. Notice the pattern is uniform along the length of the blade. The others are minimal and random.

 

[jideta]

I wouldn't go with Damascus/pattern weld unless I knew where it was made or what the composition is. The exception is cable.
As was said before, you get what you pay for. I believe in another thread there was a minimum price per inch set for quality Damascus (raw).
It's buyer beware; too much crap out there.

 

[Blues]

The exception is cable.

I like cable damascus as well. Picked up this neck knife from Ray Kirk many moons ago at a Blade Show in the 90's, and it led to a long friendship.

 

[000Robert]

Here is a photo of my Damascus Bowie and Hunting slip joint folder set that was made in Pakistan. The Bowie blade is 7 1/8" long and the folder blade is 3 3/4" long. I don't remember how many layers they were supposed to be but they are supposed to be the same. There is no writing or anything on the blades. My Tsubosan files tests them at 50-55Rc. I think they are pretty so I'm keeping them.