- Joined
- Oct 15, 2007
- Messages
- 72
Hey guys, I am new to the forum and have a couple of questions.
I am a toolmaker by trade, but I am very interested in custom knives. I'm pretty sure that I don't have the correct tooling necessary to build knives, although I could probably make something pretty close lol.
I am familiar with D2, A2, CPM, S7, and 01 (oil hardening) steels, and of course cold rolled or hot rolled. I know about how to heat treat these metals and so forth. The one thing I don't know anything about is how Damascus or Pattern welded blades are made.
I am very interested in Damascus, because of its unique appearance and also its edge holding capability. I have done some reading on this subject, and have become very informed on the history and the chemical "process" of how it is made. However, I have not been able to find anything on the actual way it is done. For instance, What does the maker start with? From what I have read, the maker starts with "cakes" and I am guessing he heats them, uses an anvil in some way, and then "folds" the metal several times. It would be greatly appreciated if someone could explain this process in greater detail to me...
Also another question I have is this: I'm fairly sure that from what I have read, pattern welding is not the same thing as actual damascus. From what I understand it produces a very similar surface pattern but very dissimilar internal structure and makeup. Am I correct? Added to that, is Pattern welding as good as real damascus?
I am sure you all know of the quality of knives that can be bought, and one that I really like is the Boker Leo Damascus. I do want a folding knife, because I do not like fixed blade knives (I need something I can carry in my pocket.) I want the best, and this seems to be one of the best that I can find. I was just wondering if anyone knows the real story behind these knives...I mean are the really made in Solingen from the steel of a German battle tank barrel, are they pattern welded, are they worth the $400 I will probably pay, etc.
Thank you all for you replies.
I am a toolmaker by trade, but I am very interested in custom knives. I'm pretty sure that I don't have the correct tooling necessary to build knives, although I could probably make something pretty close lol.
I am familiar with D2, A2, CPM, S7, and 01 (oil hardening) steels, and of course cold rolled or hot rolled. I know about how to heat treat these metals and so forth. The one thing I don't know anything about is how Damascus or Pattern welded blades are made.
I am very interested in Damascus, because of its unique appearance and also its edge holding capability. I have done some reading on this subject, and have become very informed on the history and the chemical "process" of how it is made. However, I have not been able to find anything on the actual way it is done. For instance, What does the maker start with? From what I have read, the maker starts with "cakes" and I am guessing he heats them, uses an anvil in some way, and then "folds" the metal several times. It would be greatly appreciated if someone could explain this process in greater detail to me...
Also another question I have is this: I'm fairly sure that from what I have read, pattern welding is not the same thing as actual damascus. From what I understand it produces a very similar surface pattern but very dissimilar internal structure and makeup. Am I correct? Added to that, is Pattern welding as good as real damascus?
I am sure you all know of the quality of knives that can be bought, and one that I really like is the Boker Leo Damascus. I do want a folding knife, because I do not like fixed blade knives (I need something I can carry in my pocket.) I want the best, and this seems to be one of the best that I can find. I was just wondering if anyone knows the real story behind these knives...I mean are the really made in Solingen from the steel of a German battle tank barrel, are they pattern welded, are they worth the $400 I will probably pay, etc.
Thank you all for you replies.
