Damask Knives
About Damask Knives
If you decide to count the different types of knives that shaped history, you will be able to do so with the fingers of both hands. Among them will be Damask knives, a tool that forged history at the beginning of the first millennia.
So, what makes Damascus knives so special? Well, at a time when widespread use of stainless steel did not exist, and modern forging methods were unknown, these knives were a complete gamechanger. Think about the fact that the few samples of them that exist today have not rusted even after a thousand years. Not only that, but Damask steel is also stronger than the steel that we produce today using modern technology. But the sad part of the story is that we do not know the exact method to produce a Damask knife. But we are close enough. Before you start shopping for them, read this article to know more about these knives.
Everything you need to know about Damask knives
People usually buy these knives for decorative purposes. They have a unique look to them with patterns resembling snake scales. However, these days, there are these knives that might not use the same traditional forge welding techniques that resulted in better strength and also the distinctive pattern. Some of them, instead, use special surface treatment using acid to achieve the look of traditional Damask knives. This one is significantly cheaper than the first one. So which one should you buy? This article will tell you everything you need before you buy a Damask knife.
Damask steel
The word Damask refers to the ancient city of Damascus in modern-day Syria. A thousand years ago, this city was one of the largest and most populous places on the planet. Around the same time, this place became famous for its high quality and unique steel. At the time, the exact manufacturing process of this steel was well guarded among a few artisans. Even a millennia later, Damask steel still doesn’t fail to fascinate people.
Composition of original Damask knives
Interestingly, nobody knows the exact composition or the manufacturing process of the original Damask steel. Of the original knives, all we have is a few artefacts that date back to a thousand years ago. Because of the fervour with which those early craftsmen guarded their trade secret, the knowledge is lost forever. But modern research has managed to approximate the composition of the original alloy and the way to produce a good quality Damask knife. We can only hope that the modern-day counterparts are nearly as good as the ancient ones. Nonetheless, modern knives are of very high quality.
Modern Damask knives
Forging these knives involves welding together different types of steel and twisting them many times before flattening them to form the knife. This ensures an even distribution of impurities throughout the metal and enhances the strength of the steel. Some people also like the wavy pattern of the Damask steel. Therefore, the reason to get a Damask knife can be more than just functional for some people. On the other hand, some people use acid etching to replicate a similar pattern on the knife. Such knives are purely aesthetic and are way cheaper than the real ones.
Benefits of Damask knives
Everybody has a different reason for buying Damask knives. For some people, it is about the beautiful white pattern on dark steel. But if you are buying a Damask knife only for its look, an acid-etched replica might suffice you. One downside is that they are not as durable as the real forge-welded Damask knives. These knives are superior to regular steel knives when it comes to building quality, sharpness and strength. However, you can get one even if you don’t plan to use them as your everyday driver in the kitchen. You can use it even as a decorative item on your living room wall.
Tips on how to buy Damask Knives
Most people don’t realise how hard it can be to choose a good Damask knife. The additional details on such a knife only make it harder to choose than other kitchen knives. In order to find a good one out of hundreds of different models, you should know what criteria to look for. Here is a list of qualities that you should consider in a Damask knife when you shop.
- Choose the type of Damask knife set – Just like any other knives you are buying, you have to first decide the type of knife you want. If you want it for cutting veggies, you should go for a Damascus steel chef’s knife. You will also find bread knives, boning knives, hunting knives and pocket knives that take advantage of the benefits of Damask steel.
- Look at the folds – You can tell a lot about a Damask steel kitchen knife by looking at the blade. The pattern on the blade will reflect the effort the craftsman has put into making the knife. The number of folding in the blade should not be too little or too many. While it seems counter-intuitive, folding the steel too many times can actually weaken the blade.
- Length of the blade – The length of the blade plays a huge role in determining the usability of a knife. The blade length should also be suitable for the intended purpose of the knife. A blade that is too long can be cumbersome to handle and it can be dangerous if you don’t know how to use a long knife. On the other hand, the blade should not be too short either.
- Balance – Another vital aspect of a good knife is its balance. Ideally, the weight of a knife should concentrate near the handle. A perfectly balanced knife is easy to handle as it won’t be too front heavy, But the thing is that it requires a bit of experience before you can tell how good life is by just holding it in your hands.
To ensure the longevity of a Damask knife, you should follow the right method of usage and storage. Make sure that the knife is dry before storing them. The place where you store the knives should also be free of any moisture. Instead of keeping the knives upside down on their point, use a knife rack. This will protect the edges of the knives from going blunt. Also, don’t forget to check out other amazing products from the Home & Living section.
Question & Answer
Are Damascus steel knives good?
There is no doubt that Damask knives are pretty good. But it gets a bit more complicated than that. As a matter of fact, not all knives claim to be the same. Some of them are just regular stainless-steel knives that imitate the appearance of a Damask knife using acid etching. Some of them use high carbon steel that is stronger and more durable. But they are usually more susceptible to rusting than regular stainless-steel knives. Therefore, such knives require more care than usual.
Why are Damascus knives so expensive?
The main reason why these knives are expensive is because of the craftsmanship and amount of work that goes into making them. Not everybody knows how to make a good Damask knife. And out of those who know, not everybody is experienced enough to make a good knife. Moreover, the steel has to be folded and curved many times to make them. After that, they are flattened. This requires a lot of time than regular steel. So, all the expertise, material cost, and time-consuming and precision manufacturing process of such knives add to the cost of the knife.
How to clean Damask knives?
Apart from washing the knife after every use, you should take additional care to ensure the longevity of these knives. While it is important to wash the knives, you should never put them in a dishwasher. For one thing, dishwasher detergents are abrasive and will reduce the sharpness of the knife over time. Also, they will bump against other objects and sustain chips and dents in a dishwasher. Apply a layer of oil on top of the blade after washing the knives to create a barrier between the blade and the air. This will save the blade from rusting.
How to sharpen Damascus knives?
You can sharpen a Damask knife like any other kitchen knife. Use a whetstone, sharpening iron rod, or anything similar like that. But you have to take additional care when you are sharpening Damask steel. Because they consist of many different layers, the cutting edge of the knife might appear a little toothy. Therefore, use a sharpening tool that is smoother than the one that you would use for a regular knife. But luckily these knives tend to retain their sharpness for a really long time. And usually, this won’t be a problem for most home users.
If you are looking to buy Damascus knives online in Dubai, look no further as you are in the right place. On Shops.ae, the largest shopping search engine in the middle east, you will find anything from cheap Damascus chef’s knife to the best Damascus knife. There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. These include brands like Wakoli, WMF, Miyabi, Perkin, Dav & Dan, and Mokum Hunter.