For a hunting, fishing or even cooking aficionado – or the avid weapons enthusiast – purchasing a knife isn’t about heading down to the local supercenter and picking something out on a whim. A knife is (or should be) an investment – both of your time and research as well as your money. If you’re in the market for a new knife – or a whole set – it might be time to get to know the benefits of owning a Damascus steel blade (or several of them).
They’re beautiful
One reason so many people are initially attracted to Damascus steel knives is pretty superficial – delightfully so, actually. It’s because Damascus steel is just so pretty that you can’t help but notice them online or in a display case in front of you. Because of the forging process of Damascus steel, the blade has a beautifully patterned appearance, often showing a “wavy” design. Of course, not all Damascus Steel patterns are alike, and here at Vegas Forge we create patterns to suit every potential knife owner’s dream. So if you’re in the market, don’t just explore Damascus steel blades – explore a whole lot of Damascus steel blades to determine which you like best.
They’re timeless
Due to their very nature, knives made from Damascus steel are something of an antique, even when you purchase them brand new. That’s because the technique used to forge Damascus steel – namely forging (or casting) two or more varieties of steel together to form one, unified, strong alloy. Because of this process, the end result is a metal that is patterned due to the various layers of steel. This technique dates back hundreds of years. Although the “original” forging process of Damascus steel has been lost to the ages, the modern technique used to create strong steel in these characteristic patterns is something to celebrate. Wootz and patternweld are also terms sometimes used to indicate this layered forging technique.
It’s made for a purpose
Because of the forging technique used to create Damascus steel, the finished product (the knife you’re looking to buy) is likely a high-quality, highly useful tool. That’s because the creator of the Damascus steel selected the alloys that would best work together for the purpose at hand – and would create a beautiful pattern to boot. A Damascus steel blade, as you know, features waves of steel alloy, which meet at the edge of the knife and determine the cutting performance of the blade. This means they will be specifically manipulated for the intended purpose – hunting, fishing, cooking, etc.
They stay sharp
Anyone who buys a knife for any purpose wants it to be sharp (there’s not much you can do with a dull knife other than get frustrated!) When you choose a well-made Damascus steel knife, it will stay sharp much longer than most production quality knives. That’s no guarantee, of course, that you’ll never need to sharpen your blade, but you’re likely to do it a lot less often. Hey, that’s part of the reason we call these knives “investments.”
They’re not just for outdoors
Hunters and fishermen likely know the value of a good knife. But a beautiful Damascus steel blade is the perfect gift – or splurge – for anyone. One way to use this quality metal on a day to day basis is through your kitchen knife set. Not only do Damascus steel kitchen knives perform optimally and stay sharp, they also add a beautifully unique element to your kitchen and are always a great conversation piece.
Check out our beautiful Damascus steel patterns here.
I agree that Damascus knives have creative designs that are so hard for people not to notice. My father loved hunting and it’s his birthday next week. I’m planning to give him a hunting knife with an intricate design as a present. I think getting a Damascus knife is the best option. By the way, thanks for sharing it’s useful functionalities as well.
I found it interesting that you state that while these blades are extra strong, due to the forging process, they are also really characteristically patterned. My dad’s birthday is coming up, so I have been looking into getting a new new knife as a gift. I will keep this in mind, and start looking for somewhere that sells Damascus steel hunting knives.
I have used Damascus blade pocket knife for many years. I use my knife in everyday work/leisure and continue to enjoy the Damascus blade for it versatility and sharpness. It’s there when I need it.