Pakistani Damascus knife is impressive!!

[marchone]

Ja.

 

[leghog]

Khyber Pass

FWIW, the Khyber pass is on the Pakistan - Afghanistan border. Not the Pakistan - India border.

 

[HappyDaddy]

What's unsettling is someone who has been on a knife forum for 5 years not expecting criticism/commentary/arguments over the small details about a knife....wait for it... on a knifeforum

You, and a couple of others, simply took the opportunity of the OP's opinion of a particular knife to launch into criticisms of Pakistani knives in general. Had OP made sweeping generalizations about Pakistani knives that merited rebutting, fine. But, that's not at all what he did. You've used an awful lot of words to rebut an assertion that...wait for it...wasn't made.

 

[shinyedges]

You, and a couple of others, simply took the opportunity of the OP's opinion of a particular knife to launch into criticisms of Pakistani knives in general. Had OP made sweeping generalizations about Pakistani knives that merited rebutting, fine. But, that's not at all what he did. You've used an awful lot of words to rebut an assertion that...wait for it...wasn't made.

"Pakistani damascus knife is impressive" is the title. I and several others brought up the facts of "damascus" Pakistani knives. Get over it, or keep speaking about people in the thread rather than the knives, that's a good idea

Oh, it isn't?

 

[HappyDaddy]

"Pakistani damascus knife is impressive" is the title. I and several others brought up the facts of "damascus" Pakistani knives. Get over it, or keep speaking about people in the thread rather than the knives, that's a good idea

Oh, it isn't?

I read the thread. I don't need your recapitulation or your recommendations on what I should or shouldn't post. Feel free to click the report button if you're so moved. My observation and point is clear. I didn't expect you to agree with it.

 

[shinyedges]

I read the thread. I don't need your recapitulation or your recommendations on what I should or shouldn't post. Feel free to click the report button if you're so moved. My observation and point is clear. I didn't expect you to agree with it.

Whatever.

 

[goldie]

Now on the other hand, I couldn't bring myself to buying a knife made in india or Pakistan but if someone likes them and buys them fine with me . Ive accepted knives from china,like reate and we but theres no pride of ownership with knives made in Pakistan ..

 

[craytab]

I'm glad the op feels the price paid for his knife is worth it and feels that it is a workable tool. At the end of the day, that really is all that matters to an individual knife user (clones and counterfeits aside).

That said, a couple good knives from Pakistan don't make a difference in what the reality is on most of the cutlery that is exported from that country. The vast majority of Pakistani knives aren't worth even the low prices they fetch.

The simple fact that the materials used in most Pakistani knives isn't disclosed is unacceptable to a knowledgeable knife enthusiast. The op's knife is no different in this respect. Sorry, I want to know what my knives are made of.

Glad the op enjoys his knife but I will continue to purchase knives from reputable sources that can tell me what the knife is made of and stand behind their product with a warranty.

 

[benchwarmer380]

Didn't mean Alan Davis is robbing anyone, but Im just sick of the skyrocketing and insane prices being charged for knives and customs.

I consider that a good thing.

If it was common for crap products to be put out with artificially inflated prices, then I would agree with you. However, that really isn't the case. There are a number of quality manufacturers and custom makers continually trying to up their game and that is reflected in the prices. The beauty of all the competition is that there are makers and manufacturers that put out quality at nearly every price point. The Knifemakers Exchange right here on the forum is proof of that.

If you want to play in the high end game (of anything), you got to work to put yourself in a financial position to do so, not complain that they are too expensive.

 

[Viper2]

My opinion on the subject is that most likely many Pakistani Damascus knives use lower quality softer steel, but probably many use good steel as well (like my knife). The main thing is that the artwork and exotic materials in many Pakistani knives are simply too expensive in the American market to be affordable. My guess would be that a custom-made Damascus knife in America with the exact same materials as my knife would probably cost at least 10 times more money. That’s why I’m glad Pakistan can produce affordable, functional, and beautiful knives. Obviously not all Pakistani knives are impressive but it seems at least some of them are.

 

[Viper2]

If you want to play in the high end game (of anything), you got to work to put yourself in a financial position to do so, not complain that they are too expensive.

However, what one person considers a high-end expensive knife worth the cost, another person considers a ridiculous rip-off. So it’s all relative.

 

[Pilsner]

I would like to point out to BF in general that using the word ‘Paki’ is the absolute equivalent of using the N—— word in much of the English speaking world, my country included. It is used on these forums rather a lot, which is a shame, I think, as it is an insulting and degrading racial epithet.

 

[DunRanull]

I was gifted a couple of Paki jack-knives awhile back, no "brand name" available, and heavy for their size compared to similar Western knives. The blades and bolsters are the local version of damascus and are layered not etched. Reason I say that is the lines in the steel run true on both sides of the blade- and when I touch it up, you can see where the softer steel is worn away ever so slightly faster by the stone... Probably not the best "damascus" steel in the world but a good facsimile, and you can bet, like the Indians and Chinese and Japanese, they will improve their skills and products. These knives cut, and are tight and well fitted, with springs as strong as kangaroo legs... The Blonde (SWMBO) has trouble opening them!

 

[DB_Cruiser]

I don't own any examples myself, but I don't find it inconceivable that there may be a Pakistani knife manufacturer (or a few, even) capable of producing a good knife for a decent price. The OP's example looks to be reasonably well made if a bit over embellished for my own tastes. Personally, I have shied away from Pakistani cutlery. But when I ask myself why, having never really had an example to judge for myself, it is threads like this with such strong opinions against the product that come to mind. Easy to take everyone else's opinion and make it my own. That's kind of a shame. And while I appreciate the idea that the naysayers are trying protect newcomers from spending their hard earned cash on junk, it is unfortunate that comes with the exclusion of some possible gems. I guess caveat emptor works both ways.
It was suggested earlier in this thread that one should educate themselves on what Damascus steel actually is. I did some quick research for a couple of hours (not exhaustive by any means). I come away thinking that no modern manufacturers should be marketing their Damascus steel as such, but rather Damascus Style Steel. It is my understanding that the traditional art was lost over 250 years ago and no one really "knows" how it was made. So one could make the pedantic observation that none of the modern approximations are true Damascus steel. In any event, most of what is marketed as Damascus steel blades today bears little in common with Damascus steel blades from the 17th century and earlier. The point being that if the OP's knife is a folded steel forged blade (and not acid etched - I think I see some pattern from the blade material extending into the sharpened edge in one of the pics so I'll give the benefit of the doubt) it is no more Damascus steel than anything else made today. The only uncertainty is the material's pedigree.

 

[benchwarmer380]

However, what one person considers a high-end expensive knife worth the cost, another person considers a ridiculous rip-off. So it’s all relative.

Yes, it is relative. Some would consider your $60 knife or an $80 Spyderco a rip-off. I don't and you probably don't either but opinions and all that.

My point is that there is plenty of quality that can be found, whether it be production or custom/handmade, at every nearly price point. Complaining that high end stuff is too expensive or a rip-off is usually more a projection of the person's insecurities than a critique of the items themselves. This opinion is coming from someone who, based on what I've seen other folks post and talk about on the forums, is on the lower end of the income spectrum for forumites.

PS. Of course, specific items most certainly can be and are rip-offs. I'm talking about when people making sweeping generalizations about things outside of what they can afford.

 

[goldie]

(If you want to play in the high end game (of anything), you got to work to put yourself in a financial position to do so, not complain that they are too expensive. ) I can afford to buy any knife made ,I choose not to,id rather use it for more important things like my son....

 

[scubisino]

Oh my goodness! So much drama for a $60 knife!!... The guy saw the knife, like it and bought... End of story. His money, his collection, why some answers have to be so offensive? There's a knife police? Please not everyone is a metallurgical expert. It's so easy to just say: nice knife, enjoy it!!

 

[benchwarmer380]

(If you want to play in the high end game (of anything), you got to work to put yourself in a financial position to do so, not complain that they are too expensive. ) I can afford to buy any knife made ,I choose not to,id rather use it for more important things like my son....

Excellent! It sounds like you have your priorities in order like a good parent should.

 

[craytab]

Oh my goodness! So much drama for a $60 knife!!... The guy saw the knife, like it and bought... End of story. His money, his collection, why some answers have to be so offensive? There's a knife police? Please not everyone is a metallurgical expert. It's so easy to just say: nice knife, enjoy it!!

This is an enthusiast community. Most of us care about the materials and origin of our knives. If you can't tell me what your knife is made of I can't simply say "nice knife" because to me (and many others) it is not if you don't know the materials. If people don't want to discuss such issues about certain knives they shouldn't post. After all, that is what we do here: discuss knives.

 

[shinyedges]

This is an enthusiast community. Most of us care about the materials and origin of our knives. If you can't tell me what your knife is made of I can't simply say "nice knife" because to me (and many others) it is not if you don't know the materials. If people don't want to discuss such issues about certain knives they shouldn't post. After all, that is what we do here: discuss knives.

Some people don't think it should be a discussion, only drop a one liner like "nice knife" and that's it. Not gonna happen.