Damascus Knife
The forge is a centuries-old profession. This profession has marked the history through wars and conflicts as a manufacturer of metal weapons and equipment. Through the years, forging techniques and technologies have evolved, but the profession remains relevant.
Thanks to centuries of apprenticeship and transmission of know-how between blacksmiths and cutlers, we have seen the birth of Damascus steel. Benefiting from all the advantages of Damascus steel, the Damascus steel knife is still renowned for its solidity, its sharp edge, its longevity, but above all its unique and sophisticated patterns.
Today, it is used as a kitchen knife for professionals, but also as a survival knife or homemade knife.
What is a Damascus knife or Damascus blade knife?
A Damascus knife, just like the traditional knife, is composed of a sharp blade and a handle made of leather, wood, bone, or synthetic materials. A knife is said to be Damascus or Damascus blade when its blade is made of Damascus steel. Depending on the type of knife, this blade can be fixed or foldable. The Damascus blade has the particularity of having a better internal structure and great hardness.
It is important to know that Damascus knives are classified in the family of edged weapons (category D) according to the "law n° 2012-304 of March 6, 2012, relating to the establishment of a simplified and preventive control of modern weapons".
What is the use of the Japanese Damascus knife?
The Japanese Damascus knife has a blade made of Japanese Damascus sandwich steel. This Damascus manufacturing technique consists of forming several layers of steel. In the central part, the steel used has a high carbon content for strength and longevity. While for the exterior, a low carbon stainless steel of 16 or 33 layers is used to ensure the blade's strength and flexibility.
The Japanese Damascus knife is sophisticated and classy thanks to its linear, very sober patterns and impeccable finishes. There is nothing to complain about its sharpness. As a top-of-the-range knife, it is also used by renowned chefs.
How to choose your Damascus blade knife?
Each Damascus knife is unique, whether it is the design, the technique used to make the blade, or the type of knife, each Damascus knife is unique.
Type of Damascus steel
Currently, there are three main families of Damascus steel:
- Damascus stainless steel: semi-industrial method, good cutting quality, various patterns, no maintenance, etc.
- Damascus forged carbon steel: artisanal method, good quality of cut, various patterns, requires regular maintenance, etc.
- Japanese Damascus sandwich steel: strong internal structure, optimum hardness, high cutting precision, linear pattern, etc.
Type of knife
The Damascus knife exists in two models: the folding knife (like the Capucin knife), or the fixed blade knife (like the kitchen knife). If the first model of knife focuses mainly on its practical and safer assets, the other model emphasizes its robustness and its ease of maintenance and cleaning.
The finish
With a top-of-the-range knife like the Damascus knife, the finishing touches are not to be neglected. We can for example mention :
- The quality of the material used to make the handle
- The style of the damask pattern
- The finish of the knife: rough, polished, or contrasting
- The little touches that make each knife unique: knife bolster, Damascus steel handle, etc.
