Cutlery Samurai

Do You Need Damascus Steel Knives?

It’s widely held that knives made from Damascus steel are the best knives known to man.  But is it true?  There is a certain amount of myth surrounding this high-quality steel starting with its origins in India, not Japan as commonly held.  Let’s explore what’s true and what may be exaggerated about these knives.

The History

Making Damascus steel knives is considered an art form going back to the steel age itself.  The name comes from its birthplace of Damascus Syria around 900 a.d.  Here they were used to make swords which were known as some of the best in the world.  The Japanese took and improved the process, but the art was lost altogether about 400 years ago.

Thanks to the recent resurgence of knife making arts over the last few decades, the art of making Damascus knives has been regained.  Although we can’t know exactly how the modern process compares to the older one, we know that today’s Damascus steel knives are not made of the same metals as in historic times.  They do appear similar, and they have the same strength and sharpness as those ancient swords.

The Process

Damascus steel is a very strong carbon-steel alloy made to hold a sharp edge without breaking.  In addition to its fine quality, it’s also known for its striking patterns on the blades.  Various bands, waves or ripples have always been an aesthetic feature of Damascus blades.  They are actually carbides that are precipitated out in sheets.  These carbides are what give these blades their incredible strength.

Most modern Damascus knives are made from knife blanks, which aren’t quite the same thing as Damascus steel.  They differ in that they are made from pattern welded steel which uses a folded metal method.  The resulting knife blank is made from the layers that result from the process, shaped and polished into a blade.

Sometimes acid is used to reveal the natural pattern in the Damascus knife blank.  It doesn’t create that pattern; it only accentuates it.  However a knife blank treated in this manner is not truly a Damascus knife blank anymore.

What Do the Experts Say?

Most knife and cutlery experts will tell you they are overrated.  Yes, Samurai Swords were remarkable for the time, and other legendary swords of Damascus fame were well-made weapons, but modern steel manufacturing has caught up and, in many cases, surpassed the old ways and methods.

Nevertheless, Damascus steel is remarkable.  Blades and swords can be collectors’ items due to their unusual and beautiful patterns.  Damascus knives do hold their edge better and are much more durable than their stainless steel counterparts.  Most people find stainless steel plenty good enough for their purposes, and since it’s much cheaper to manufacture and easier to maintain, it’s generally the material of choice for home knife needs.

So in conclusion, Damascus steel knives are one of the only useful tools surviving to modern times that can be regarded as a work of art.  Serious amateur chefs and professionals will often have a set of Damascus knives.  For those to whom cooking is a passion, the extra performance and durability is worth the extra cost.  They may not be the magical swords of legend, but they are fine professional blades that professional chefs and collectors alike can appreciate.

About the Author

Kim Brockman writes about buying and caring for knives along with nutritional information for the blog at Block Knife Sets. Come check out this store’s collection of Japanese knives, including professional knives made of Damascus steel.

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