Sanmai Damascus

[Metro]

I have recently taken a liking to Damascus steel. Unfortunently my wallet does'nt like it as much as I do. I searched for affordable Damascus knives and found some from an outfit called Sante Fe Stoneworks but the steel is what they call Sanmai Damascus which means "sandwich" Damascus, it has a core of G-10 steel with 16 layers of stainless steel on each side to give a Damascus "look" blade.

Is this just fake Damascus? Is it a decent steel?

Metro..

 

[nozh2002]

I am not sure why laminated blades everybody in US call SanMai - it called varicomy in Japan and this is almost standart in Japan for quality blade. Blade with high performing core and "damascus" on sides called Suminogashi and I prefer it to pattern welded blade which most likely combines worse features of its components. Suminogashi however cuts as good homogenius steel and has "damascus" patern on the sides for nice look and additional toughness.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[madcap_magician]

San Mai clad damascus blades aren't 'fake' anything, they are what they say. I personally like them, I like the contrast in appearance. Check out Mcusta for some good ones- they use damasteel (I think) laminated over VG-10. Great edge, and the damascus is really pretty that way.