A high-quality Damascus steel knife will become an indispensable tool while hunting, in the kitchen or on a hike. With its help, you can easily cut the carcass of an animal and carry out a number of manipulations to open and cut various objects. Consider the features of this tool and its most popular modifications.
History of Creation
Knives made of Damascus steel are famous for their optimal combination of strength and flexibility. The blade is able to bend at a right angle and then straighten out like a spring without losing performance.
For such a feature, the blade was valued in ancient times. It is worth noting that the first mention of Damascus steel dates back to the era of Alexander the Great. The Indian king Pora had a shell made of such a material that reliably protected him from the cold weapons of Europeans, without even scratching. The blades of warriors were made of similar steel.
In history, three variants of the origin of the concept of "Damascus knife" are considered:
- Presumably the Arabic word for water is damas, and most combat blades have a wave-like pattern on their surface.
- The Islamic version claims that the name of the weapon came from the word damascene.
- Another option is to make blades by a master gunsmith Damascus.
Benefits
Knives made of Damascus steel have a lot of advantages over analogues made of damask steel or other steel. Among them:
- High hardness and strength.
- Excellent cutting performance.
- Attractive and ergonomic appearance.
- The knife is comfortable and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.
- Light weight.
- No chipping of the blade after repeated sharpening.
- Unlimited service life with proper storage and care.
Among the disadvantages are the high cost, but this is not surprising, since a high-quality tool cannot be cheap.
Damascus steel kitchen knives
This tool is great for cutting meat, fish, poultry, vegetable products. In fact, it is universal, can be made to order, mainly equipped with a wide blade.
Travel models are valued for their wear resistance, great for extreme travelers. Most often, the device has a small blade, used for fishing and hiking.
Damascus steel folding knife
Damask and Damascus steel are prone to rust. Remove it with a rag soaked in gun grease. Experts do not recommend using abrasive materials for processing the blade, as theyscratch the blade. Alternatively, special mortars or hard rubber can be used.
Folding knives made of Damascus steel are more prone to corrosive processes, therefore they are made of stainless parts. It is desirable to select the handle from plastic or other polymer analogues. It should be noted that the technology for manufacturing high-alloy samples from the steel in question is very complicated, and therefore the price of such models is much higher than that of alternative modifications.
Features
Don't remove a Damascus steel knife unless absolutely necessary. After use, the tool should be cleaned, treated with a special fat or oil composition and stored in a dry place. If there is frequent contact with high humidity, the blade is lubricated with ordinary petroleum jelly.
Leather scabbards can also be treated with special products to preserve their appearance and basic characteristics. Sometimes there are standard Damascus or damask blades made of stainless steel, but true connoisseurs do not welcome this approach due to the short retention of sharpening on stainless steel. They recommend the use of special anti-corrosion additives to maintain sharpness and strength, preventing the blade from rusting.
Main purpose
At all times, hunting knives made of Damascus steel were revered and stood apart from competitors. The material in question has a high strength and amazing beauty, as well ashas high cutting and mechanical qualities. The wavy pattern on the blade, resulting from the use of complex and laborious technology, is unlikely to leave indifferent any connoisseur of edged weapons.
Damascus blades are relatively resistant to corrosion, perfectly keep the working part sharp. A well-made specimen is comfortable, cuts easily, thanks to the correct geometry of the handle and blade. In addition, it does not crumble and has a long service life. In the manufacture of such knives, mainly natural materials are used, including parts of buffalo or elk horns, wood (walnut, acacia, birch, wenge, chestnut).
Selection criteria
Now gun stores offer a wide range of Damascus steel knives: from budget variations to exclusive handmade models. There are modifications on the market from both foreign and domestic masters.
Before buying a blade, you need to decide on its main purpose. The main parameters of the knife and its shape will depend on this. The main option of the tool in question is to cut well. In this regard, it has a sharpening on one side, and a flat butt on the back. The hunting version of the guard is absent or has small dimensions. This design is more convenient when processing carcasses. For convenience, a small stop for the index finger is provided on the front surface. This weapon should become your assistant, have a safe design in anytransportation and be convenient to operate.
Recommendations
When buying a Damascus knife, take it in your hand. The product should not be heavy, fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, not slip. In addition, the center of gravity should be on the handle so that it is more convenient to control the blade in the main use without tangible fatigue in the hand. It is worth noting that a short blade is more convenient for cutting, but it is much more difficult for them to cut a branch or bone. also pay attention to the handle (grip comfort and material).
