New made in Germany Damascus

F

Frank Niro

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Sep 10, 2000
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Rob Ridley of Canadian Knifemakers supply is sending me a couple of bars of this now being offered made in Germany stainless and carbon steel Damascus. I don't make any myself but always get turned on by being able to try a new to me piece.
Frank
 
Hi Frank, but if I may ask a rookie question, why damascus from stainless and carbon steels?
The carbon layers will still rust. Does the stainless offer a higher contrast than 15n20 gives?
 
Much higher contrast. Especially if you parkerize instead of etching.
 
Stainless Damascus bars are often made with just different types of stainless and nickel. Sorry I can't give you that info on the German Damascus coming yet.
Frank
 
There are 3 or 4 smiths in Germany that are pounding out damascus for custom makers and higher end production knives by folks like Boker and Gaston Glock and by all accounts, the stuff is good. Markus Balbach, Jurgen Schanz and Achim Wirz are the names that I can remember. I would not be surprised if what you are getting is Balbach steel as he seems to be the biggest producer.
 
Yes, Stacy was right; all stainless and all carbon steel. Rob, is just wanting my opinion on working it.
Frank
 
jdm61 said:
There are 3 or 4 smiths in Germany that are pounding out damascus for custom makers and higher end production knives by folks like Boker and Gaston Glock and by all accounts, the stuff is good. Markus Balbach, Jurgen Schanz and Achim Wirz are the names that I can remember. I would not be surprised if what you are getting is Balbach steel as he seems to be the biggest producer.
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If it is from Markus Balbach the quality is very good! I've seen some blades and other parts made from his steel in both the stainless and carbon and it is high quality! FYI we are reselling it also (disclaimer!) but there are other makers in Germany also!
 
Markus also makes his high end stainless damascus from martensitic steels.
david@gfs said:
If it is from Markus Balbach the quality is very good! I've seen some blades and other parts made from his steel in both the stainless and carbon and it is high quality! FYI we are reselling it also (disclaimer!) but there are other makers in Germany also!
Click to expand...
 
He also make a blend using 14C28N and 19C27. From the pictures on his website,the N690/Nitro-B appears to etch darker.
david@gfs said:
That's correct! N690 and Nitro-B, both useable in commercial/industrial kitchens!
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You can't go wrong with Balbach, I've known and done business with him for many years. Balbach Damascus is at the very top of the pattern welded steel market worldwide. His stainless Damascus is unbeatable IMO. He is also very reliable and able to deliver what he promises. I made a short run of my large kitchen knives from Balbach DSC carbon Damascus some years back. Pics are on my site. I have a couple of Griptilian blades in his stainless through heat treat and waiting on my to grind them... Right now he is doing the first run of his new pattern welded titanium!
 
Frank,

yes, Rob now sells my damascus steel in Canada and David (GFS) in the UK. I'm sure their customers will make some nice products out of it!

At this time we have a couple of different damascus types, which were all produced in our patented DSC - Damascus SuperClean process.

DSC® inox (stainless damascus compound out of N690 and Nitro-B)
DSC® inox-s (stainless damascus compound out of Sandvik steels)
DSC® carbon (standard non stainless damascus steel)
DSC® austenit (stainless, non hardenable, non magnetic compound) and very new
DSC® titan (compound of two titan grades)

best regards
Markus
 
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Well, how am I going to keep my excitement under control? To know it will be a respected and very used material sure pleases me for this sort of trial thing and foe future use. I sure will be interested as well in their titanium products!!! I expect to have by Tuesday. Perhaps I should set up a tent at my mail box and sleep there overnight.
Frank
 
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