My new Damascus blade

[AtlLaw]

Remember this discussion started by Schoolmaster back in May?  http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,232975.0.html
 
Well, I ordered the blade in the picture from Alabama Damascus and let me tell you, I have never seen a blade so beautiful in my life!  I'm just going to look at it for a bit while I put a couple of other knives together and try out some ideas on them.   
 
If anybody is thinking about a Damascus blade take a look at AD's website.  They're good Christian folk and I can now say that if my blade is any example, I'll never look any further for another one!   
 
I wonder how Schoolmaster's knife turned out... 
 
 

[gcrank1]

Sayin' that is too pretty is like sayin' your bike is too fast..........
How could you ever think of using it?!

[AtlLaw]

Probably never will use it...     I made that lined holster and liked it so much I remade that belt.  Heck I liked that so much I decided to make a whole BP rig based on it!  The knife handle will match the BP revolvers' grips and the scabbard will match the belt, cartridge box and holsters!   
 
But come to think on it,    to say I'll never use it is kinda like sayin a woman is to beautiful to make love to!      And that just ain't right!      I guess puttin all this stuff together is just the fore play!   

[Joel]

The famous gun writer Jack O'Conner was once asked why he actually hunted with his beautiful custom rifles/shotguns.  He replied that when nothing was happening he could just sit there and admire the weapon.  I've learned that the one thing that enhances beauty is performance (be it tool or otherwise)....

[schoolmaster]

Well my knife was stolen while at the bladesmiths getting a handle and sheath. So I am in the process of starting all over again. I gaurantee that when I get my knife it will be used. I will post pictures but it may take a while. Law you just have to cut with one of those damascus knives to believe it. Mine will have a white micarta handle on it to show off the damascus. Good steel has its own charm.

[AtlLaw]

Well, that's a damnable shame!     I'm sure the guy who had it just said to bad, your loss... 
 
I thought and thought about what material to use for the handle on mine.  And in my opinion you are exactly right about the solid light colored handle as a contrast to the dark, highly figured blade.  My first thought was stabilized camel bone but can't find anyone who has it in stock.   
 
Then I started thinking about this BP rig I'm making.  If the belt, holsters, cartridge box and the knife sheath all match, why shouldn't the revolver grips and knife handle match also!?   
 
Now, I love Ivory.  But one would have to win the lottery nowadays to afford it.     I have looked and looked at the synthetic ivory grips out there and could never convince myself I'd be happy with them.  With one exception; Tru-Ivory.  The fact that Colt and USFA use it on their SAA's may have influenced me some!   
 
So, I'm going to send in my Uberti 1861 Navy for a set of the aged Ivory grips and also buy a matching set of scales for the blade!   
 
Will that look cool or what!?      Don't know what I'd use it for or when I'd wear it though...     I may be forced to take up CAS!   

[schoolmaster]

Well actually the guy that had it had his tools stolen and two of his favorite knives as well. One was the first knife he ever made and one was the knife he and his son made together. I feel for the guy. He was insured and he is in the process of replacing his tools and materials including a new blade for me. It is a slow process but I am trying to be as patient as possible. You will never regret the matching handles on your pistol and knife. They will give you comfort every time you look at them. When this project is finished post up some pics so we all can enjoy them.

[cwlongshot]

BEAUTIFUL BLADE RICHARD!!!
 
Anxious to see what you do with it!
 
CW

[hillbill]

how do the damascus blades hold a edge?how easy are they to sharpen?i like the looks of them but i only buy working knives.i know they are hand made does the quality vary greatly from one knife to another?id assume a lot of what they are would depend on the steel they are made from? id like to have one, school me?

[schoolmaster]

hillbill, what little I know I found out on this forum from kind folks who were generous with their knowledge. Evidently there is damascus, and there is DAMASCUS. The ability of the knives to take an edge depends on the qualities of the different types of steel that are forged together. The steel components must be able to be heat treated so that they all come to the same hardness and temper. The blend of metals must be compatable. Joel can explain it more technically than I can. The idea is to pick a good maker and go from there. I found Alabama Damascus Steel after some prompting from Joel and talked to Lacy Smith on the phone. He told me that his company's blades were 58 to 61 Rockwell. Also a number of bladesmiths were using his blades to make knives. That was good enough for me. There is another thread on this forum that discusses the quality of damascus steel that will give you some good information. I have a stockman's damascus pocket knife from Bear&Sons that sharpens up very sharp and holds an edge also. My knives are working knives also and the type I have must be kept oiled to avoid rust.

[Bugflipper]

Schoolmaster did a good job of explaining damascus. The good stuff like Richard has pictured is generally a step above 1095 steel, but under d-2 tool steel. In other words it will sharpen up half way easy, but hold an edge a little longer than all but the super steels. Probably the best comparison would be leaf spring steel, or a blade made from old style tool steel, like a file.

[AtlLaw]

I darn sure wouldn't be the one to ask those questions there Bill!  All I knew about damascus was that it was layered and purdy!    The discussion in the other thread Schoomaster mentioned got me looking.
 
Joel gave us some pretty good info and I to settled with Alabama Damascus.  Lacy lists what steel he uses with each blade pictured.  You should also look at some of the designs he has on his bar stock!   

[gcrank1]

But you do have to give it a little more attention than you may be used to; the rust will get you if you are not careful, and it doesnt polish back out. I am not a slacker in care, yet it got me a couple of times already  .

[AtlLaw]

Lacy clearcoats his blades to protect them until recieved by the customer.  We emailed about cleaning that off and also mentioned that you must care for the blade.  He recommended a CLP I hadn't heard of.  It's called "Strike-Hold."

[gcrank1]

I guess youve 'got it covered'  !

[AtlLaw]