Damascus steel (laminated steel) is one of the steel materials used for the blades of self-made knives. Damascus steel (laminated steel) gives a mysterious and cool impression to your own knife by cutting it to create a unique pattern. This time, we will introduce the features and charms of Damascus steel (laminated steel)!
What is Damascus steel?
Metal with a mysterious pattern
Damascus steel is a metal with a unique pattern on the surface of the metal. As the name suggests, it originated in Damascus, and in the past, swords and tools made from this Damascus steel were used. It is extremely strong, hard and supple, so it is considered to be a very excellent steel material for blades. The mysterious pattern is quite impressive, so you won’t forget it at first glance.
Not only for blades but also for accessories etc.
Damascus steel was used not only for blades but also for accessories. There are many different patterns, from cool to mysterious, so they are very prosperous when used on anything such as bracelets and necklaces. Even today, its popularity has not diminished, and Damascus steel is often found in cool accessories.
Damascus steel that does not rust
Does Damascus steel rust?
Damascus steel produces a single piece of steel using the crucible method. As a result, it is said that the steel has extremely high purity without impurities. Just as gold and chromium are made of a single element and do not rust, metals made of a single element tend to be difficult to oxidize and rust-free. Of course, it is not completely rust-free, so maintenance is required.
Past Damascus steel
The Damascus steel swords found were very well preserved and had almost no rust. It is hard to say that all of them are so because the number of discoveries themselves is small, but the most famous one made of Damascus steel is the “iron pillar of Delhi that does not rust”. It is said that all of Delhi’s iron pillars, which have stood on the surface of the earth for 1600 without rust, are made of Damascus steel.
Lost Damascus steel
Is the manufacturing method lost?
It’s such a wonderful Damascus steel, but the Damascus steel manufacturing method that was made in the past is now lost. Since it was made in the old days and there is no literature or communication, the manufacturing method of Damascus steel is considered only from some information and scientific research from the actual product. By doing so, a certain manufacturing method has been established, but the complete reproduction of Damascus steel has not yet been achieved.
It has not been reproduced.
The national government and various organizations are conducting research to clarify the manufacturing method of Damascus steel, but the real Damascus steel has not yet been reproduced. It is said that there are land problems such as the iron ore used, but there are still many mysteries. Currently, there are steels that are very similar to the real ones that are considered Damascus steel all over the world, but this is a similar and non-genuine one developed by the modern process. However, it is formally called Damascus steel.
Current Damascus steel (laminated steel)
A stack of many steel materials
Currently, Damascus steel, which is the mainstream in the world, is a laminated steel made by stacking a large number of steel materials. The characteristic of laminated steel is that it directly reproduces the pattern of real Damascus steel by stacking several steels with different carbon contents around the blade. It is completely different from real Damascus steel, but it is called Damascus steel because its strength and pattern itself are very similar.
Popular with self-made knives due to its attractive pattern
Many of the patterns that appear by etching Damascus steel are very beautiful and cool, similar to the real thing. Especially, it is perfect for the steel material for blades of self-made knives, and many Damascus steels are made and it is popular. Now that real Damascus steel cannot be used, there is a great demand for Damascus steel (laminated steel) that can express more attractive patterns.
Damascus steel (laminated steel) is a high-class material for self-made knives!
Luxury material for self-made knives
Damascus steel (laminated steel) is a popular material for self-made knives, but the price is a little higher because it takes more time and effort to custom than ordinary steel. If it is a monotonous pattern, it is relatively cheap, but Damascus steel (laminated steel) made by a complicated manufacturing method is several times more expensive than ordinary steel, so you have to think carefully when purchasing. However, many of them have excellent sharpness and strength.
Only the high price is cool!
Complex Damascus steel (laminated steel) is expensive, but it has a cool pattern and sharpness. The complex Damascus steel (laminated steel) is made with such great care, so it also has strength, so there is no doubt that it will be a better knife blade! In addition to blades, it can also be used for hilts and bat caps, creating a sense of unity in knives.
Overseas are more fulfilling
The reason why Damascus steel is expensive is that there are more types of Damascus produced overseas than Damascus steel produced domestically. Overseas, there are many people who custom their own Damascus steel and there are many shops, so wholesale to US are also increasing. As a result, the price in US has risen by the amount of the tax.
Damascus steel (laminated steel) No. ① of self-made knife
General laminated pattern
It is a basic Damascus steel (laminated steel) that is made by simply stacking different metals with different carbon contents. If you simply stack them, only such steps will appear, so from here we will continue to forge to custom the pattern even more complicated. However, this is also a good thing, and if the number of layers is large, it will look cool.
Wave pattern
This wavy pattern is made by forging basic Damascus steel (laminated steel) to custom each pattern ruffled. If the number of layers is small, it will be relaxed, and if the number of layers is large, it will change to a complicated wave. It’s a cool pattern that fits anything, so it’s often used not only for blades but also for accessories. It is one of the patterns that is easy to wholesale and easy to get.
Damascus steel (laminated steel) No.② of self-made knife
Eyespot pattern
A round eye-like pattern emerges on Damascus steel (laminated steel). It’s a mysterious and cool pattern, but it may be a little difficult to use. It seems that it is not found in real Damascus steel, but it is very popular because it looks very good. It’s relatively easy to buy, so the price isn’t too high.
Wire Damascus
Wire Damascus is Damascus steel made by a very special method. By forging a number of steel materials into wires and twisting them, strength is secured and a very unique pattern is created. A pattern similar to that of real Damascus steel appears, but it has the characteristic that it is made in a completely different way from the real one. You can custom a very cool knife because it is strong and sharp and has a cool pattern, but it is a material that is quite expensive among Damascus steel and difficult to obtain in US.
Where can I buy Damascus steel (laminated steel)?
online shopping
You can buy Damascus steel online from several cutlery shops and metal shops that sell Damascus steel. However, please note that this Damascus steel may not be usable for blades as it may not contain a blade. If there is a blade that can be used for knives, etc., it is stated in the material used, so be sure to check before purchasing.
Custom knife shop
The most reliable is a custom knife shop where you can buy materials for your own knives. You can buy Damascus steel that suits you because it clarifies the material and has a wide variety of types. Most of Damascus steel has black skin, but it is easy to custom by yourself because it also polishes the surface. Some shops may wholesale rare Damascus steel, so be sure to check it out!
The charm of the self-made knife of Damascus steel (laminated steel)!
Unique Damascus steel (laminated steel) pattern
The pattern of Damascus steel changes to various patterns depending on the laminating and forging method at the time of making, and the subsequent processing method to the knife. The pattern is unique at that time, so the same thing cannot be made. For those who want to show their individuality or want their own knife, there is no better material. Since there is a difference due to etching, adjustments can be made.
Luxury feeling for your own knife!
By using Damascus steel, you can give your own knife a luxurious feel. The pattern of Damascus steel often dyes the blade black by black oxidation treatment by etching, so the contrast between black and silver flourishes with a very cool design. If you use a steel material with a large number of layers, the contrast will be finer, which will increase the chic atmosphere and custom the knife look luxurious.
The sharpness of a self-made knife made of Damascus steel (laminated steel)!
It depends on the blade of your own knife
The sharpness of Damascus steel depends on the material used for the blade. Basically, most of the steel used for Damascus steel is carbon steel, but carbon steel is easy to rust and has a sharp cutting edge, so you can custom a knife that cuts well. Since stainless steel is also used and stable sharpness can be achieved, you can choose a wide blade for your knife.
For flexible blades
The materials used for Damascus steel are assembled with materials with significantly different carbon contents in order to custom a clear change by etching. Steel with a large amount of nickel is often used, and it is sometimes called nickel Damascus. It is not hard and soft, so it is highly flexible and makes it easier for the blade to become supple. However, please note that it is not suitable depending on the intended use as it will be fragile to scratches.
How to custom Damascus steel (laminated steel) look beautiful with a self-made knife?
Pattern and design of self-made knife
To custom your knife looks good with Damascus steel, you need a design and steel placement that matches Damascus steel. Damascus steel looks beautiful in the part where the laminated pattern can be seen well and the part where there is a step such as a ho. The key to using Damascus steel well is to design this according to the pattern that appears when you cut Damascus steel. In addition, Damascus steel, which is welded, leads to a strong design.
Etching method ①
In order to custom Damascus steel look beautiful, it is necessary to etch it with chemicals. The chemical used is ferric chloride solution, which can be wholesaled at pharmacies. If you apply it to iron with a strong chemical, you can quickly cover the surface with black rust, but be careful because the corrosion will not stop unless you treat it with oil. If all goes well, a beautiful contrast will be created between the oxidized black and the nickel that did not participate.
Etching method ②
If it is an etching method that does not use ferric chloride, it is very effective to attach it to highly acidic chemicals. In this case, the oxidation is weak and the surface of the steel is slightly oxidized, resulting in a silvery and white Damascus steel. The sharpness and surface strength do not decrease, so this may be recommended for practical use.
Summary of Damascus steel (laminated steel)
You know that there are both genuine and current laminated steels for Damascus steel. Damascus steel, a self-made knife, is a laminated steel, but its coolness is as attractive as the real thing, so I definitely want you to try it. It is recommended for those who want to make their own knife, so please try various things!
If you are interested in your own knife, check Shieldon Knives and Tools here!
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