I’m looking for links to suppliers of Damascus steel, any suggestions?
Loren
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2003-02-09 15:50 ]
Sorry Loren for what I’m about to say in advance but did you try the Damascus yellow pages.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin.
[ This Message was edited by: MarkB on 2003-02-09 16:05 ]
Loren, I don’t know if Rene Roy is still stopping into the board, but you can check his profile for his website. He has access to Damascus steel…I’m still thinking on getting this little blade of his with a pink ivory grip…
Try this page from the Texas knife makers supply. I have order blades from them several times and always received good service and products! http://www.texasknife.com/store/s-pages/TKS_MainframeStore.htm?TKS_WelcomeStore.htm~smain
-No source of Damascus here, but book recommendations:
#1-“Step-by-Step Knifemaking” by David Boye, published by Rodale Press in 1977.
-Don’t know if its still in print, but its a good start for a knifemaker- the techniques are described and illustrated
clearly and the photos are inspirational. Knifemakers in this region covet old band saw blades from lumber mills for knifemaking stock.
#2–Another superb book for craft metalwork is “The Complete Metalsmith” by Tim McCreight, Davis Publications, 1982. It has a wide range of metalworking
techniques described and illustrated clearly, oriented to small shop/studio operations.
I gave a copy to a friend
setting up shop to make early music instruments, and he commented later that it was the best craft working book he’d ever seen. -Good luck with your knifemaking!
[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2003-02-10 01:34 ]
On 2003-02-09 15:54, MarkB wrote:
Sorry Loren for what I’m about to say in advance but did you try the Damascus yellow pages.
Ba-da-bing!! 
That was actually pretty darn funny (even if not particularly helpful).
Yeah, I gotta agree Jens: That was pretty funny Mark and thanks for the link.
Brian, yes Tim M’s book is excellent, I found it last year or the year before, when I started taking Metalsmithing classes - Great, great book. For those interested, I’ve seen it in stock at Borders.
Thanks all 
Loren
Loren: I know nothing of knives, but since I had a few moments to spare, I did a google search and came up with this site, which says he has Damascus barstock.
http://www.ealyknives.com/Default.htm
All the Best, Tom
Okay, I am actually one of the knifemakers on this board!
Be aware that there are lots of sources for damascus and some are going to prettier, while others will make better blades. Here are some links that cater to new makers and carry damascus.
http://www.kovalknives.com/home.htm
http://www.admiralsteel.com
http://www.knifeandgun.com
There are others, but those are all I can think of off the top of my head. They all carry several patterns and sizes. I have ordered from Koval and was happy with the service and products. I have also ordered from Admiral and was pleased with the product, though less happy with the service. Just a warning that, while they are not bad, they also are still new to dealing with small-time operations like knifemakers. And K&G has Devin Thomas damascus, which has a very good reputation. I just have not ever ordered from them, so can’t give feedback on service.
What are you planning to make?
-Patrick
Smokey Mountain Kifeworks has a discount catalog/web site. Their address is
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/
They have at least 2 damascus blade blanks.
Model #'s OL787 and DGBF.
Both are 29.99.
Good luck with your project.
Just take your cutting torch down to the local park that has a drop-off near the parking area and cut off a section of that nice twisted steel cable strung between the wood posts. Makes a pretty neat knife but is a real pain in the posterior to work with.
Mark V.
Disclaimer: Note that I’ve never procurred materials in this way. Scrap yards have miles of the stuff. Just make sure there is no tension on the cable
Thanks for all the useful info folks
Patrick, I’m not planning on doing any knife making, although I love custom knives, I’m just kicking around some metalsmithing ideas and I love the look of certain Damascus patterns.
Thanks again,
Loren
The reason I asked what you are planning is because I have seen some wonderful uses for the stuff other than as blades. I’ve seen rings made of stainless damascus, belt buckles, necklaces, etc. The little scraps from stock-removal knifemaking would be great for small jewelry where the pattern is the important part. Key chains would be fun, too. The etched texture is fun to feel and rub.
Really, I was just interested in what other creative ideas you had. I know you enough from your posts to suspect that you would not be using damascus for your first attempts at knifemaking. You just don’t strike me as the sort to chance wasting $100 worth of steel when you don’t even know how to shape it in the first place.
I was going to also mention that there are some nice patterns available from Finland at http://www.brisa.fi . Neat site with lots of lovely things for the makers who don’t make their own blades. I could spend so much cash if I had it…
-Patrick
The closest I could get to Damascus was this:
MarkB