Damascus Blades
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Lost_Patrol
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Damascus blades are basicly made of two different steels forged together. The joined metals are hammered flat and then folded. The process is repeated many times so that the finished piece has many very thin alternating layers. The Steel is shaped and then etched with acid (or similar) to highlight the layers.
The quality of the blade depends on the types of steel used, and the forging method. While all damascus look nice, some makes a fantastic quality user and some is rubbish.
The quality of the blade depends on the types of steel used, and the forging method. While all damascus look nice, some makes a fantastic quality user and some is rubbish.
Sometime ago a wrote a right load of waffle on this subject.
Basically theres "True" Damascus (aka. Wootz steel) which is a very high carbon steel produced by a crucible smelting(?). The carbon deposits form carbides in the forging process and produce the effect of "thousands of tiny ants having walked across the molton blade and left there footprints".
This Damascus is the steel of legend!
The other and much more common (wrongly labelled - IMHO) "Laminated" Damascus, is produced as Lost_Patrol has described. The patern here is produced by the folded layers and is by no means an indication of a higher than "normal' carbon content.
Of course as LP says, it could be that a high carbon content steel was used but its just not the same as true Damascus. Its just a laminated steel blade.
If your after a true high carbon blade the Roselli UHC (Ultra High Carbon) is a safe bet. I think he occasionally does Damascus too but I'm not sure if its "True" or not
Basically theres "True" Damascus (aka. Wootz steel) which is a very high carbon steel produced by a crucible smelting(?). The carbon deposits form carbides in the forging process and produce the effect of "thousands of tiny ants having walked across the molton blade and left there footprints".
This Damascus is the steel of legend!
The other and much more common (wrongly labelled - IMHO) "Laminated" Damascus, is produced as Lost_Patrol has described. The patern here is produced by the folded layers and is by no means an indication of a higher than "normal' carbon content.
Of course as LP says, it could be that a high carbon content steel was used but its just not the same as true Damascus. Its just a laminated steel blade.
If your after a true high carbon blade the Roselli UHC (Ultra High Carbon) is a safe bet. I think he occasionally does Damascus too but I'm not sure if its "True" or not
