Why is Pakistani and Indian damascus of poor quality? How do we know this?

[scotchleaf]

Why is Pak/Indian damascus of poor quality? How do we know this?

I would think that, if one was going to go to all the trouble of making damascus, it might as well be done correctly?

Secondly, does anyone have first hand experience with failures, etc? Have tests been done?

I guess I'm asking because I like the prices and some of the designs.

 

[EricV]

I've had two experiences with Indian Damascus blades.

First knife appeared to be nickel and tin, or some other such rubbish combination. I melted one of the metals in the blade with a blow torch. This was purchased off ebay, as was the other one:
Which is actually rather nice, it was a small blade blank, arrived in a padded envelope, blade coated in what I think was coconut oil, and wrapped in a banana leaf. It was in an annealed state when I got it I think, far too soft for a knife, I blindly guessed with hardening and tempering it, and so far its been a handy little knife, takes an edge and holds it well enough, though not amazingly. Doesn't get much use anymore but for a time it was my only fixed blade.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

There is, I'm sure, some good Damascus coming out of India and Pakistan. Problem is, most of it isn't any good. And there is no way to tell the good stuff from the bad until it's too late for you.

Good Damascus is expensive no matter where it comes from.

dalee

 

[goldie]

I think the steel they are using is very low grade,im sure its not really heat treated well, if at all,this damascus has flooded the market in the last few years,some patterns look nice,but thats all it might have.

 

[CWL]

Because it is mystery steel that they scavenge from wrecking yards. There is typically no heat treating as well. These blades and blade blanks are made and sold by the piece, quality plays no part in the pricing.

Some will barely hold an edge, some can't even be sharpened.

This is true for both damascus and single steel blades.

If you like them, go ahead an buy all you want, they will make good wall-hangers.

 

[Shamrockninja]

There are good blanks comming from India, The problem is the batches are inconsistant.

I actually have several knives made from Indian Damascus blanks that are incredible knives.
very nice grinds, and very nice HT.
Interestingly, it seems they were all cut from the same large billet or batch.

I also have a few blanks that were obviously of a different billet/ batch that are not nearly as nice, and are probably junk.

There are a few shops in India that are proud to have a historically local product in the current Damascus steel trend, and do there best to produce a decent product.

However, it seems to bit hit or miss as far as quality goes.

Overall, it's cheaper to get quality Damascus blanks and knives from well established, trusted knifemakers/shops.



Disclaimer:
I am not a Knifemaker.
I am a hobby knife builder, and I make "handbuilt" knives.
My knives are for my personal use, or gifted/sold to friends and family, because IMHO they are not yet good enough to sell to the public....yet.

 

[LX_Emergency]

Hi,

There is, I'm sure, some good Damascus coming out of India and Pakistan. Problem is, most of it isn't any good. And there is no way to tell the good stuff from the bad until it's too late for you.

Good Damascus is expensive no matter where it comes from.

dalee

This.

I have some good damascus billets from Pakistan. I've made several knives out of them and they hold up quite well in the edge holding departement and look very nice.

But they're not a cheap as some of the blades that you see on e-bay.

Basically you get what you pay for. If you're going to get budget blades off e-bay for less than $10....it's not goign to be much.

If you get a bladeblank for $50, you're much more likely to get something decent.

 

[Shamrockninja]

This.

I have some good damascus billets from Pakistan. I've made several knives out of them and they hold up quite well in the edge holding departement and look very nice.

But they're not a cheap as some of the blades that you see on e-bay.

Basically you get what you pay for. If you're going to get budget blades off e-bay for less than $10....it's not goign to be much.

If you get a bladeblank for $50, you're much more likely to get something decent.

^^THIS!

The Blanks I bought were $22-$35 each before shipping.
I bought 14 blanks, so I got the wholesale price.
These were originally $40-$65 blanks.

In fact, I carry a 7 inch drop point Damascus fixed blade pretty much every day.
It's sharp enough to shave your mother-in-law, Highly polished, has filework on the spine,rosewood scales, and no bolsters.
I use it as my EDC fixed blade, it holds an edge, and is easy to touch up after use.

Gotta keep it oiled, but other than that, it's been a great knife.

I also have a Damascus WSK from an Indian blank, that was made T-2 size, and stayed shaving sharp after hacking through a 4 inch oak branch.

I paid $100 for the WSK blank, and I'd take it over a TOPS T-2 any day.


Id soon like to get into grinding my own blanks, which will lead to forging my own steel billet....sheesh!



Damn knifemaking addicts ....This is just a hobby. I'll never get that crazy about making knives..........................*slides stack of Deer antlers, and four half finished knives over to make room to set coffee cup on table*