A conversation with Skullworks got me to searching online for some Damascus knife blanks just to play around with since I still don't have my forge set-up to make another knife. So anyway, just searching around on the innerwebz and I came across this little jewel for dirt cheap, like Chinese pocket knife dirt cheap. The reviews were really good, but I thought, "No way they can be producing a knife for this cheap and: 1. It be real Damascus 2. Be even remotely decently put together. But yet hear it is...

Now before you say, "Hey Irish, you dumbass, it's just etched." Um... no it ain't I have thoroughly inspected it with a jewelers loupe. I did a couple of swipes on my Crock sticks and it's shaving.

And I will say, it's no Skullworks knife either, his knives are hand crafted and having made my own knife, I can assure you they are worth every penny of what he is selling them for, plus you are getting a knife that is made by a local craftsman.

The main reason I bought this knife was to have a beater knife and to just see if it was for real. I am fully aware that it is probably made by Muslim slave children and that's why it is so inexpensive, but nonetheless I am kind of astonished at the craftsmanship that it has at such a low price point. The steel is supposed to be AN-9013, but I haven't conducted any kind of hardness test on it yet.

The decorative jinking on the spine is a nice artistic touch and having done it before on my knife, it is not an easy task. The pictures really don't do it justice.

How much was it?

I’ve always wanted to get one to see how well they perform. The biggest questions are always “How do you know if they used the steels they say?” and “How well does the edge hold up?” I’m looking forward to you testing so I can see how well it holds an edge!

There are a lot of really nice quality dental instruments that come out of Pakistan for super cheap. We bought a bunch to take on mission trips years ago.

Looks good! They make some really nice Damascus in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Those were my questions as well, which is the reason i was willing to chunk $40 away to find out...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...sin_title_o02__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm going to have to do a slight bit of work on the handle. It would be fine if I was left handed, but there needs to be a little more material taken off the index finger groove. i think one of the reviewers on Amazon pretty much said the same thing.

So far so good otherwise.

See my response to Skullworks. I posted a link to where I purchased it.

Yep. I’ve used Alabama Damascus before. Good stuff!

I wouldn’t trust that steel being what they say it is for anything. For what they sell for you can barely get straight bar stock. I suspect you bought some different contrasting pot metal . Looks decent, though. Let us know how it works out.

I'm not too big on Damascus.

What I want is a Roselli UHC hunter blade. HRC 64-66 and not brittle.

The Damascus is good to look at but I would think these are better quality blades on this page for just as cheap. That Roselli blade is only $75.
https://www.ragweedforge.com/BladeCatalog.html

Those Scandinavia blades are wicked sharp!

I'll tell you for sure that a $10 Mora Carbon steel blade will really shame a lot of expensive customs as far as ease of sharpening, and level of sharpness easily attained. I could use nothing else the rest of my life and be very happy with my knife.

I have used the blades and nothing is as sharp as they are out of the box. I also have some fallkniven knives. Very nice!

Y’all ever seen the knock off guns those Pakistanis put together?

That's real cool Skullworks. I don't make many knives at all anymore but that's why I started doing hidden tangs. The best blades I could find back then were the Scandinavian style. I have a couple Helle laminated blades here and a couple others that get used a lot.

I'm going to get one of those Roselli UHC blades just because the composition and hardness intrigue me. It's being said that Roselli has rediscovered the famed Wootz steel,which is why I remembered that blade, this being a thread about Damascus.

"I'm sorry the store is currently closed due to some health issues. I'll update and/or reopen when I can."

I like those blades, however almost all of them that I like are "Out of Stock." and then there's the above message...

I have a Morakniv that rides in my Jeep. It's always there. Best cheap knife you can buy.

We'll see about this Pakistani blade....mine will be here Monday....

There's lost of sources. That was just the first place I grabbed.

I wasn't encouraging anyone to actually buy one.

I know...when you want to talk about another level of blade and steel, let's talk about Japanese swords...I;ve been studying them for decades...I am a blade fanatic too, and hope this is a decent Damascus, if not, no problem!

I don’t know how good the steel is on them but Woodcraft has knife kits with a blade and you get some scrap wood from them and shape the scales. The sheaths are weak.
Woodcraft

My brother makes blades with a forge. I don’t really know much about how he does it but some of them look purdy.


Knife

I think it's pretty cool! Like the knife,was just as you said. The sheath is kinda junky and I think the belt loop will break eventually or the knife would fall out given half a chance, but I'm happy!

Seems very reasonable given he forges his own blades.

I started watching this guy last week or so. He does swords too.

While people are talking knives, can someone explain to me why Falkniven brand knives are so crazy expensive ? I know they are really well made, from really good steel,... but good grief. Am I missing something ?

Speaking of good blades fro the money.. Essee brands are hard to beat.

People will pay it. Same as Randall Knives or any of the other high end makes.

Yep, nothing like a good blade...

Awesome work at a very reasonable price!

I've got a big belt grinder (not a sander the real deal) a bunch of different contact wheels and a surface grinder setup to also run on the belts... if anyone is feeling lucky you can ruin a lot of blanks, which you'll have to cut out and bring with you - real quick. Takes a good eye for it which I don't have.... but you can make a blade no problem.

A lot of their knives are laminated steel with a hard center and softer sides. It gives you a thin center that's easier to sharpen because it's thinner and the sandwich steel is softer. The sandwich steel protects the harder center which would likely be brittle if it weren't as thin as it is. At least that's the theory. It may just be a cheaper way to make something good. Whatever it is,it costs a bit more.

I don't own the Fallkniven but have bought and made knives using Helle's laminated steel,and I do like it better than plain carbon steel. A laminated blade use to cost me about $40 compared to $10 for one in carbon steel.

Have you seen the jigs you can use to help grind the bevel? I am part gathering to start my 2x72 grinder and a jig will be on the list to make.

Which blade is which? Pakistani Damascus, Skullworks Damascus, Made in UK mass produced Damascus

I know what you are referring to and have never tried to use one myself. I have always assumed they worked better for repeated patterns. I'll PM you I've got some info you might be interested in.

Awesome knives there. All are great but the one in the center speaks to me.

That's the Pakistani blade. It looks great but I leave it on the shelf for looks. The U.K. blade (wider profile-micarta handle) is decent and handles nicely BUT the skullworks blade is a cut above the rest....from the quality of the Damascus used to the fit and finish and the overall balance of the knife. Top notch work per usual Clarence, thank you!

Laminate or San Mai ( I believe ) are more expensive, but I wasn't aware that Falkniven's were laminate. I will check that out. Even so, my goodness those things are high for a non-custom, semi-mass produced knife.