Damascus Steel Knife, with hilt of wood & bone, approx. 22.5cm - sale

Damascus Steel Knife, with hilt of wood & bone, approx. 22.5cm

The terms Damascus steel or pattern welded designate a compound steel forged out of two or more different types of steel. It is named after its birthplace, the Syrian city of Damascus, a former stronghold of the patterned steel production.

As a common practice, a harder high carbon steel and a milder low carbon steel are repeatedly forge welded and folded together. The high carbon steel ensures a higher hardness, a better temperability and longer lasting edge retention, whereas the milder steel confers greater blade flexibility and tensile strength. This procedure, which arose in a time where steel qualities were often low and inconsistent, enables to combine the positive attributes of the various steel grades.

Besides, the different shadings generated by the varying carbon content of the alternating layers engender strikingly beautiful patterns, such as the twisted motif called Torsion Damascus pattern or the Rose Damascus pattern. Undoubtedly, these unusual patterns partly explain why inherent magical properties were attributed to the Damascus steel blades of the Middle Ages. Such a damascene sword blade is for example depicted as a bloody worm or a poisonous snake in the Edda.

• Blade material: Damascus Steel made of 1075 high-carbon and 4340 stainless
• Number of layers: 176
• Overall: approx. 22.5cm
• Blade length: approx. 11cm
• Including leather sheath

Important Notes:

1. This knife is the result of production with a high proportion of manual work. Pure natural materials are used for the handle. For this reason, the colors and the material structure vary, and differ from knife to knife. Damascus steel naturally creates a texture on the blade that is unique to each knife. For this fact, deviations from the photos shown on our website are to be expected.
2. Damascus steel is not stainless, so surface corrosion can occur on the knife blade. This can be removed with a cleaning rubber or cleaning wool. Please select the highest (finest) grit number. WD40 oil or weapon oil is also recommended to remove corrosion. See the recommended accessories section below.