Damascus Santoku for my wife**Patina pics added

M.Griffin

M.Griffin

Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
460
Here is one I just finished for my wife. It is 1084/15n20 with a stainless/micarta/redwood handle. This is the first damascus I've made and it was fun. I enjoy making kitchen knives since they tend to get used more than most, so they are good for feedback. Any comments or criticism good or bad is appreciated.

Specs:
OAL: 11.5"
Cutting Edge: 5 7/8"
Handle: 5 1/4"
Thickness: 3/32" with distal taper to 1/16"
Height: 1 1/2" (should have been 2" for better knuckle clearance)

Thanks for looking.

-Mike

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I love the way the damascus pattern mirrors the burl. You've got eyes, swirls, and waves in both. I also like your bolster materials; they're attractive and quality, unlike the plastic bolsters on most j-knives. It also sounds like you've got a nice thin geometry for good slicing performance.

I agree you should have made it taller, and I think the handle is too long. The proportions seem a bit off to me. No doubt you were loath to cut that redwood burl! Perhaps a wider blade would have balanced it visually?

A fine piece overall. I'd be happy to have it in my kitchen.
 
I agree with what Tychoseven said. All the materials are beautiful but the proportions are off for me (handle length, blade height etc.). I like a tall blade in the kitchen, unless it's a parer of course.
Seriously excellent damascus and handle though, beautiful!
 
Beautiful damascus! I also agree with tychoseven's comments. Also, please report back on how it holds up after she uses it for a while. I've always been worried about how the finish on carbon steel damascus holds up to kitchen use.
 
Thanks for the comments. I know it should have been taller, but when forging it, I just didn't leave enough. Next time. As far as handle length goes, I also agree that it looks a bit out of proportion. I rough shaped the handle and handed it to my wife and let her decide on the handle length. Aesthetically not as pleasing, but she will be the one using it every day so I had to let it slide.
Dan, I will let you know how it holds up. My wife cooks a lot so it shouldn't take long to find out. I handed her the finished knife and she admired it for a bit and then it went straight to work. I have made a lot of 1095 kitchen knives with hamon and they do get a patina quickly, but the hamon patinas differently so it remains fairly visible. I imagine the damascus will do something similar.

-Mike
 
Great looking knife.
While the handle may look little bit long, I'd bet when using it it feels just right.
There are a couple of my kitchen knives that I would have liked better with a little bit longer handles. Beautiful knife and my guess is a comfortable one to use as well.
 
Here are the follow-up oxidation pics. This knife has been used to cut anything and everything in the kitchen. The pattern remains very visible even with the patina. This knife gets no special treatment, just hand washed and put away dry. No special oiling or cleaning. Sorry for the crappy pics, it was necessary to get the patina to show up.

-Mike

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Beautiful piece. I agree, there is a real pleasure in making a knife that you know is going to be used everyday.

Knuckle relief.

Cheers!
 
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