2nd kit

[jason_01]

Heres another one, I like the way this one has turned out, photos don't do it justice, though I think I could have come up with a better shape at the front end of the handle. Cocobolo this time and as yet no sheath.

Jason

[ABirch]

Nice! I'm thinking of picking up a couple of their blades. How do you find the quality?

[jason_01]

Hi

These two were my first home made knives and Ive never seen any other Damascus steel in the flesh so I dont really have anything to campare Damscus USA's blanks with.

Having said that there were a couple of issues I had with these two blades, bearing in mind they are sold as completely finished. The Tanto came with a crescent shaped mark on the blade presumably picked up from storage/handling, appeared to have been "dinged" hard by another blade after hardening, too deep to easily rub out, this was on the visible part of the blade. The grind surfaces are not as as flat as they could be and the final bevel on mine was quite poorly done and had been chipped in handling. Once sharpened properly the blades take a really nice edge.

Most worryingly, the blade pictured above started to delaminate around the lanyard hole when I was opening the hole up slightly, the drill was struggling and I was applying too much force but the metal didnt reach red heat or discolour at all, does this mean the blade is not welded poperly?

I decided to live with the above, I havent raised it with Damscus USA or given them chance to respond. Apart from that I like the blades a lot, Damascus steel/Pattern welded is fantastic stuff!

Jason