Marble's Damascus Quality

C

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Sep 5, 2005
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I was thinking about ordering one of these Damascus folders. Modestly priced at twenty-five bucks, I wouldn't expect much.

Has anyone ordered (and used) one of these knives? I was thinking it would make a good conversation piece; I also like its looks. Sort of. I can see getting it and not liking it, but it's not like I'd be out of a huge amount of money.

I don't like Damascus that incorporates new zitsy designs, like the Kershaws. And I don't really like Bear & Son's patterns (though they make decent knives). They just tend to look like stainless blades with finger prints on them.

Marble's does have some good knife offerings, so I hope it's not utter junk. I just thought I'd ask before I blew the bucks.

MA508.jpg
 
I havent bought nor used a marbles damascus anything ...

but

if you are thinking of using damascus regularly , be aware that the etch finish may wear away / rub shiny with use

its happened to the ones I use anyway .

but there is a certain cool feeling when someone sees you using your regular knife and flips out
"wow , is that real damascus ? man that must have cost a bomb ! "
 
It may well be Chinese or even Pakistani. I've heard some pretty negative things as to the overall appearance in person, mostly that the "etching" looks more like paint and is smeared.
 
Well, there are some "etched" Damascuscene or something that really isn't layered steel. In short, it looks like layered steel, but isn't.

My Bear & Son Damascus blades seem heavier than normal stainless blades, and they use 512 layers, which is very nice. Their patterns are not all swirly like some, but I really like the way it cuts. I have one of their folders, too, and it's gorgeous. Bear makes a good knife, but their design is a bit odd at times. I have a standard folder, too, and the bolsters are super polished and it looks like some work went into it.

I got one fixed blade for $68 a few years ago. It now goes for $128 or so.

They are fun to show people.

1c19_1_sbl.JPG


The Marble's Damascus is hand made in Pakistan.
Ah, well, now I know!
 
There are two reasons for the low price on this knife. One is that it is made in Pakistan and the other is that it is listed as second quality from the distributor. Pakistani manufacturers have been making hay with their machine made damascus lately. A lot of people are importing damascus bladed bowies from Pakistan and selling them pretty well.

The Pakistani damascus itself is on the soft side. It is similar to the machine made damascus used by Bear & Son. I would think that this would be a reasonable value at $25 to $30 because of the damascus and the stag. I wouldn't choose it as a carry knife, however, because the steel is soft and I doubt it would have much collector value. Otherwise, I think it would be OK.

I used to cary a damascus-bladed, stag handled Parker lockback folder years ago. It looked cool but it didn't maintain much of an edge. I would expect about the same thing from this one. Take care.
 
I would expect the Fox n Hound Damascus knives to be the same quality as the Marbles. I saw on one website that these are made in Pakistan also.
 
Thanks for the responses. I actually saw one of these knives advertised as having a hardness rating of "RC 56-60"! Some eBay Damascus blades are advertised as being hand forged and having an RC of 59-61, but they're imported and there's no way of ensuring that. I am surprised to learn about Bear & Son, though.
 
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