Has Damascus Steel Peaked

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WiskyTangoFoxtrotMike

Joined
Dec 18, 2017
Messages
19
I think I'm over the Damascus Steel phase......

The historical aspects of Damascus Steel are awesome.
The logistics of Damascus Steel are challenging, perhaps fueling the fascination with it.
I'm not sure the purpose is still valid with the proliferation of modern metals. I'm not a metallurgist.
And in my opinion, the aesthetics are 'tricky' with only a few patterns being attractive to me (perhaps a personal problem).

Thoughts?
 
i think it has evolved into more of an art form rather than being desired for its effect on performance, which i assume is the reason it was invented. i love feather damascus and look forward to seeing the new patterns that will be invented in future years.
 
I think that “damascus” steel is an element of bladesmithing that has brought the craft to new levels over the past 30 years. The new patterns of mosaic tiling and multi bar blades never fails to amaze me. If your looking for a utility knife or a chopper stick to some of the amazing alloys that have been developed, but for sheer appreciation of soul in a blade, its pattern welded blades every time for me.
 
Ok? I'm "over" mosaic pins, and pattern welded titanium, busy filework on blades with 60 grit finishes, hoof rasps and all sorts of design features I find tacky, gaudy, or over-done to the point of becoming a commodity. Doesn't mean I think you should be.

Make what you want to make. That's the beauty of this whole thing. There seems to be a market for just about whatever the hell we can dream up.
 
Point taken.

I find that my taste in knives leans toward the simple and cohesive designs with excellent execution. I put a lot of focus on handle design and construction.
I tend to get distracted by damascus steel blades. I do find myself attracted to hamon blades. Maybe this falls in line with my introverted nature.

Didn't mean to 'force' my opinion one way or the other. Just curious if there were others that felt the same way.

....to each his own! And I can respect that.

For the record, I can only be considered a hobbyist with extremely limited building experience primarily pertaining to handles. I have no forging skills.
 
WiskyTangoFoxtrotMike said:
Point taken.

I find that my taste in knives leans toward the simple and cohesive designs with excellent execution. I put a lot of focus on handle design and construction.
I tend to get distracted by damascus steel blades. I do find myself attracted to hamon blades. Maybe this falls in line with my introverted nature.

Didn't mean to 'force' my opinion one way or the other. Just curious if there were others that felt the same way.

....to each his own! And I can respect that.

For the record, I can only be considered a hobbyist with extremely limited building experience primarily pertaining to handles. I have no forging skills.
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Perhaps if you forged, you would feel differently. Before I moved hot steel for the first time, and realized the work, thought, and artistry doing so requires, I thought of pattern welded steel as just pretty. Now I realize the effort and creativity that's required and I get blown away at times realizing what it took to create some if the patterns. Just my 2¢
 
WiskyTangoFoxtrotMike said:
Point taken.

I find that my taste in knives leans toward the simple and cohesive designs with excellent execution. I put a lot of focus on handle design and construction.
I tend to get distracted by damascus steel blades. I do find myself attracted to hamon blades. Maybe this falls in line with my introverted nature.

Didn't mean to 'force' my opinion one way or the other. Just curious if there were others that felt the same way.

....to each his own! And I can respect that.

For the record, I can only be considered a hobbyist with extremely limited building experience primarily pertaining to handles. I have no forging skills.
Click to expand...

I'm sure some do. Like Kevin said, I wasn't personally enamored with it until I started making it. Our personal interests change over time. Roll with yours wherever they take you.
 
WiskyTangoFoxtrotMike said:
I put a lot of focus on handle design and construction.
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on a side note I'm seeing this alot, almost like the quality of edge or cutting ability has become secondary...
just my observation, not knocking what you make
after all, I've been making alot of frame handle constructions lately which indeed puts the focus on handle design and construction :) so I'm guilty

I also buy knives, and lately see more sharp lines and edges that look great in photos and feel uncomfortable in the hand.

As far as Damascus, (having never made any myself) the possibilities are so unique and pleasant to my eye, I'm not at all tired of looking or buying them. But doesn't mean I like them all

regards
 
WiskyTangoFoxtrotMike said:
Didn't mean to 'force' my opinion one way or the other. Just curious if there were others that felt the same way.

....to each his own! And I can respect that.
Click to expand...

I'm picking up what you're putting down. There were a couple threads recently regarding, "Why doesn't anyone do a mirror finish anymore?" and, "Why doesn't anyone use steel bolsters anymore?" Well the answer is, in my opinion, that styles change. Whether you're talking about clothes or cars or hair or knives, the collective opinion about what looks good is constantly evolving. Shiny mirrored blades with shiny bolsters used to be in style, and now the acid-etched and stonewashed blades seem to be a lot more trendy. Soon enough we'll be back to the shiny stuff, I expect, because style is cyclical.

I think it's fair to wonder if the Damascus look falls under the same category. It certainly won't ever go away entirely -- after all, it's been around for a couple millennia already. But I don't see why it would be exempt from slipping into the background for a while the way mirror finishes have. Everything has an ebb and flow, and we certainly seem to be riding a Damascus crest right now.
 
I think one big thing that Damascus has going for it is that it’s proof that’s it’s forged. My customers pay for the craftsmanship and want fans forged. And 99% of the time this involves some type of Damascus being used. I think when you get into the higher price range ($1000 range) it’s allmost expected. That’s not saying you can’t sell a blade for $1000 unless it’s damascus but these high priced knives are more for art and collecting. People like to collect fancy looking things. Plus Damascus steel will allways have that mystic to it that draws people to it. I am very involved with every one of my customers and thy get progress pictures along the way. Thy are allways shocked in actualy how much work goes into something that really is just for looks.
 
Personally, I can't wait to make my first damascus billet. Followed likely by a rolling mill, a hydraulic press, and then a power hammer. :D

Has it peaked? I don't think so. There will always be a butt for every seat, but I don't think damascus seats are going to be getting any fewer, especially on the mosaic/pattern welded front (vs just a random pattern).

Now, what I'M personally tired of is flipper folders. What happened to a good old fashioned thumb stud opening knife? :confused::p
 
Making damascus is a right of passage for many smiths, not to mention a requirement if you are working toward a Mastersmith certification. Knifemakers like myself who haven't done it yet will be working toward the day when they acquire that skill and capability. I think once you successfully make your own damascus there will be no turning back. Makers want to make damascus blades and buyers want to buy damascus blades. I don't think it has peaked nor do I think it ever will.
 
I have no plan to ever make Damascus pattern welded steel. But, I have a feeling it will continue to evolve the way steels continue to evolve. Someone will figure new ways to weld different steels to make tougher, more resilient steel, patterns and improvements. I will buy the steel and grind it because it looks so good. I've a feeling others will too.
 
Damascus is very popular. I get shown over and over again by people I meet their awesome damascus blades they bought from Ebay or Etsy for $25.

They swear it is a super steel and swear by it.
 
I actually saw a reference to Pakimascus the other day and it wasn't intended as an insult. :rolleyes::p
AVigil said:
Damascus is very popular. I get shown over and over again by people I meet their awesome damascus blades they bought from Ebay or Etsy for $25.

They swear it is a super steel and swear by it.
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jdm61 said:
I actually saw a reference to Pakimascus the other day and it wasn't intended as an insult. :rolleyes::p
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No Shit,

I see that stuff all the time and it is almost impossible to look happy for them and their new prized possession.
 
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