Damascus Steel

J

jvan

Joined
Apr 19, 2006
Messages
863
I am a fan of Damascus steel. I have a great appreciation for the art and talent that goes into making a patterned Damascus.

That being said I prefer random pattern Damascus, I know that the eyes and geometric patterns are intriguing but a random pattern is whatever I want it to be.

I have a few pieces in my collection, a couple by Rob Johnson that I find facinating. I can look at those blades and I can see a mountain range, a fierce rapids on the Wisconsin river or a topographical map of my favorite fishing spot. I appreciate the freedom to see what I want to see. The free flowing lines of random Damascus allow me to do it.

My thanks to all knife makers I have immense appreciation for the art that you practice.
 
I feel about the same way as you except I like most all types/patterns of damascus or pattern welded steels.
In my opinion it offers the maker an additional area to express themselves artistically.

Damascus also adds another degree of uniqueness to a custom knife as no two damascus blades will ever be the same.
 
I know very little about types of damascus but bought a damascus knife from a local gentleman who claimed to have no idea where it came from. Can anyone give me any information on this steel? I have it placed next to a Spyderco Temperance 2 for scale. The sheath was worth almost as much as I paid for it so don't feel bad telling me it's junk. I actually think that the beauty of it testifies to it's being fairly good steel. I haven't sharpened it up yet to test it.


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I'm with you jvan - probably my two favourite patterns are random - for the reasons you have stated - and ladder, which some find "boring". I like the complex patterns as well and definitely appreciate the skill required to turn them out, but I am repeatedly drawn back to these "damascus 101" patterns.

Take a look at this Steve Filicietti bowie - it's a random pattern and still ranks among my all-time fave damascus pieces. It now resides in the Murray White collection (and he probably has better pics of it) - and it is one of the knives I am pretty much guaranteed to pick up and look over when I visit. There is almost a liquid quality to this unpatterned steel:

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Roger
 
RogerP said:
I'm with you jvan - probably my two favourite patterns are random - for the reasons you have stated - and ladder, which some find "boring". I like the complex patterns as well and definitely appreciate the skill required to turn them out, but I am repeatedly drawn back to these "damascus 101" patterns.


Roger
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Actually a well done ladder can be absolutely stunning

while a badly done ladder is just blegh
 
Heres some beautiful random steel by Don Hanson III. Check out the slight blue tint. Its like waves in the ocean. :)

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Hate to tell you Roger, but the Fillicietti Bowie has just been shipped today to a new home. However, next time you come over, I have another piece which you have not seen.
 
Fillicietti made some very good looking damascus. Heck, for that matter he made very good looking knives such as the one above.
 
I am currently between cameras and thus unable to provide any photos at this time.

If Rob Johnson feels so inclined I believe that he has pics of both of the Damascus knives that I got from him.

Rob, if you see this could you please help out?

Thanks.
 
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