So called "Real damascus" for under $100?

soc_monki said:
Then why is it called wootz Damascus? Why are swords and knives made from wootz called Damascus blades?

The way I understand from everything I've read is that wootz is the original Damascus steel. Pattern welded steels are also Damascus, but unlike wootz it is two different steels blended to make a pattern, while wootz comes by its pattern as a result of the process of making it.

If everything I've read is wrong please, enlighten me. I enjoy learning.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. Most antique weapons collectors I know make a distinction between Wootz(crucible steel) and Damascus (pattern welded steel). This is to distinguish method of production and appearance of the steel.

Thanks for the excellent article.
Rich
 
Last edited:
soc_monki said:
Then why is it called wootz Damascus? Why are swords and knives made from wootz called Damascus blades?

The way I understand from everything I've read is that wootz is the original Damascus steel. Pattern welded steels are also Damascus, but unlike wootz it is two different steels blended to make a pattern, while wootz comes by its pattern as a result of the process of making it.

If everything I've read is wrong please, enlighten me. I enjoy learning.
Click to expand...

All Damascus steel was Wootz steel
Not all Wootz steel was Damascus steel.

All Damascus steel, was processed by the Wootz method, but the ore from which Damascus steel was made had a specific composition which resulted in the formation of the "Damascus Pattern". You can make steel with a different composition using the Wootz method and it still won't show the pattern.

So you have to use the Wootz method, but you also need the correct composition in order to end up with Damascus steel.
 
knarfeng said:
All Damascus steel was Wootz steel
Not all Wootz steel was Damascus steel.

All Damascus steel, was processed by the Wootz method, but the ore from which Damascus steel was made had a specific composition which resulted in the formation of the "Damascus Pattern". You can make steel with a different composition using the Wootz method and it still won't show the pattern.

So you have to use the Wootz method, but you also need the correct composition in order to end up with Damascus steel.
Click to expand...


Ahhh ok. Some of the things I read didn't really distinguish that wootz was the method. Just said wootz Damascus. Got it now!

And I will read that article larrin. I believe I have, but it's been a while.
 
I would phrase it another way:
All Wootz is Damascus steel, but not all Damascus is Wootz.
Rich

You live and learn or you don't live long. (Trying to do both)
 
Rich S said:
I would phrase it another way:
All Wootz is Damascus steel, but not all Damascus is Wootz.
Rich

You live and learn or you don't live long. (Trying to do both)
Click to expand...

No. Re-read my above post.
"wootz" is a processing method to make steel out of ore and carbon.
The ore must possess a specific composition in order to end up with the Damascus pattern.
 
I have forged Damascus blades (badly), but never made anything that anyone would call Wootz.

Have a good evening. Bye.
Rich
 
Last edited:
It was called 'Damascus steel' because the Crusaders and traders who brought the steel to Europe brought it FROM the city of Damascus. The legendary 'Damascus steel' swords and knives were wootz. Therefore, the term 'Damascus steel' refers to a WHERE, not a WHAT.
 
I see a company called Albatross selling Damascus knives for under $100.

The knives look pretty good.

Personally, I don’t have interest in low cost Damascus blades but thought I’d mention this company.
 
Damascus and Wootz are merely more ex-super steels like VG-10 or SV30. Amazing in their time but now merely a rung on the ladder.
 
JDRanger -

I saw an Albatross in VG10/Damascus on a site and for the price took a chance.Very pleasantly surprised. It is VG10/Damascus laminate built on the same frame as the now out of production Colt in D2. Also the same as the Damascus Boker Gent I believe. All from the same factory I suspect. The Albatross is very sharp, well centered with no blade play, opens easily with it's thumb stud and locks up perfectly. IMHO a well made, inexpensive VG10/Damascus knife. Quite usable.
Rich
 
Rich S said:
JDRanger -

I saw an Albatross in VG10/Damascus on a site and for the price took a chance.Very pleasantly surprised. It is VG10/Damascus laminate built on the same frame as the now out of production Colt in D2. Also the same as the Damascus Boker Gent I believe. All from the same factory I suspect. The Albatross is very sharp, well centered with no blade play, opens easily with it's thumb stud and locks up perfectly. IMHO a well made, inexpensive VG10/Damascus knife. Quite usable.
Rich
Click to expand...
More people should know of them. Thanks.
 
Monofletch said:
5912655a-be5c-4b3b-b823-c7f200756bfa-jpeg.1279551
Click to expand...

That is the neatest damascus pattern I’ve ever seen! I usually don’t care for the stuff, especially for the extra cost. That beauty is worth the price of admission though!
 
I bought an Albatross, a Boker, a Magnum (Boker), a Civivi, and a Kershaw Skyline.

All under $100.

I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but this is a case of “you get what you pay for.” The Damascus on these knives is very inferior to blades in the $250 and up range.

They almost seem like imitation Damascus.

I guess it’s slightly better than nothing but I don’t think many people will have a high level of pride of ownership with any of these knives.

Obviously a $350 knife will have better materials than a $75.00 knife but I don’t think you can get “real” Damascus unless you pay that much or more.
 
Last edited:
JDRanger said:
I bought an Albatross, a Boker, a Magnum (Boker), a Civivi, and a Kershaw Skyline.

All under $100.

I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but this is a case of “you get what you pay for.” The Damascus on these knives is very inferior to blades in the $250 and up range.
I've had the damascus skyline and my civivi is league's and miles above it.

They almost seem like imitation Damascus.

I guess it’s slightly better than nothing but I don’t think many people will have a high level of pride of ownership with any of these knives.

Obviously a $350 knife will have better materials than a $75.00 knife but I don’t think you can get “real” Damascus unless you pay that much or more.
Click to expand...
I get what you mean when you refer to something like the skyline, but Civivis damascus is really nice. Not sure if you got a dud or are just being overly harsh.

I've had the skyline in damascus, and the civivi I have is miles above the skyline. It might not be a 650 dollar sebenza level, but it's a tenth of the price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top