need some thoughts about Damascus

Bruce Evans

Bruce Evans

Joined
Sep 26, 1999
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I have been wondering lately about Damascus finish....I need a collecters opinion here....Does Damscus have to be etched?,I have been wondering as I have a knife ready to finish out and kind of like the polished Damascus look.Hand rubbed to 2000 grit then hand polished with notebook paper....

So what do you guys think,does Damascus always have to be etched?
Thanks for any comments you can give.
Bruce
 
Why not start a trend . If you like it that way then leave it as is,I have not seen a unetched Damascus blade so I can`t realy give an opinion.
 
The main practical advantage of etched damascus IMO is getting a blade that is more resistant to corrosion and wear marks compared to the polished one.
 
I have occasionally seen damascus blades where the pattern is barely visible - looks like a carbon blade from 5 feet away, but up close you can see the pattern. I assumed it was a very light etch, but it might have been a result of the polishing process you describe.

I quite liked it - but I am not sure if it is the type of thing that would have broad-based appeal. If it were an ordered knife - no problem. If it were one knife of several on your table at a show, that would be one way to gauge interest.

If you do turn one out like that, I'm sure we would all like to see it.

Roger
 
Hey Bruce, What's up? In the past I have deep etched, then polised back to silver, or almost silver and shiny, and it looks pretty good finished like that, depending on knife type and style.
 
Bruce, I prefer the etching of Damascus thus revealing the unique and beautiful patterns.
And as flava mention their are practical advantages too.

I have seen light etches on several blades where just subtle pattern was achieved and looked quite good.
 
I have seen a few pattern welded blades before they were etched. It was not easy to tell that were pattern welded. Depending on the knife, I like from lightly etched and then polished, to quite dark. I do like the pattern that I have seen on some Japanese blades that aren't etched.
 
Thanks for the great replys everybody..

Hey John,trying to make a knife,lolol

The knife I am working on would look better with a polished blade now that I have the handle finished.It is a low layer random Damascus anyway.I guess I will try a light etch and rub it back.

Keith,That is what I was thinking about,the oriental swords were polished and lightly etched to show trhe hamon and not the pattern.

Thanks everybody,
Bruce
 
Maybe a comprimise would be to mask the bevels or flats a light etch then polish it out would have both light detail with the polish. Just a thought from out side the box

Spencer
 
SAR said:
Maybe a comprimise would be to mask the bevels or flats a light etch then polish it out would have both light detail with the polish. Just a thought from out side the box

Spencer
Click to expand...

Now there's an idea. I like it.

I have found some stock removal pieces appealing where the maker has mirror polished the flats and satin finished the grinds.
 
Bruce -- here is the Al Pendray that I recently obtained and while it is a dark blade, any etch is just barely visible but it is there. The idea is similar though to your thoughts re a polished unetched blade I think.

orig.jpg


I for one am most interested to see the final result though so hope you will be posting it soon.
 
Sar's idea sounds cool,but not enough flats on this blade to try this one...But I may just have to try it on another.

I have almost finished carving out the buttcap for this one.Tomorrow I should be getting it finished,pictures no later than Wed.

Bruce
 
Murry,That is a cool looking knife by Al,I am wanting to not have the blade darkened enough to even know it was etched.I like it with it's mirror polish so that is why I said I would lightly etch it and polish it back until it shines like a mirror but shows the grain of the Damascus....This could get very interesting....hope I dont mess it up...

Thanks John,you back in town or still out on the water?

Bruce
 
Still on the boat, 3 more weeks left. At least we have net computers on board now. Helps pass the time.:jerkit:
 
I would like to find out how to etch lightly so that you get the color change and the pattern "pops" but without the "terrain features" of a heavy etch. I also have an Al Pendray Wootz knife and you can see the pattern, but the surface of the steel is very smooth and highly polished.
 
Hey at least you can still surf the net and check out what everybody else is doing....Let me know when you get back and everybody meets for lunch so I can join you guys.
Bruce
 
Will do Bruce. We met last time, but we all forgot to call you,but I,ll be sure to remember next time. Will be looking forward to it.:cool:
 
Joe,I am going to figure it out.....Looks like I am in for some trial and error and allot of experimenting to get this perfected...Sounds like fun.

Bruce
 
Finish it out without etching and see if people like it. If someone snatches it up then you made the right call. If not, take it apart and etch it. You can always etch later. It never hurts to try something new when it doesn't affect the overall funtion of the knife.
 
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