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The first damascus steel blades date back to antiquity. They were produced in India and in the Middle East from “wootz” steel produced in India.

Damascus steel : From antique origins to French know-how

 

It is a steel particularly rich in carbon. Blades using this steel present sublime unique moire patterns, created by the metal crystallizationl. These patterns are the reasons which, in addition to the intrinsic material quality, have contributed to the reputation of the damascus steel blade.

During the crusades, Franks tribe praised these blades which seemed indestructible. However, production stopped in the 17th century due to the exhaustion of resources, the low transmission of know-how, kept too secret, and supply difficulties. In the 19th century, advances in metallurgy brought this know-how back to life through the work of an inspector at the Monnaie de Paris: Jean-Robert Bréant.

Damascus steel : A leading manufacturing technique

 

A “decorated” steel

 

In its modern artisanal version, damascus steel is produced by superposition of different steels, more or less hard, more or less rich in carbon. This is the reason why it is also called: “multilayer steel”. The patterns are no longer made from crystallization but are the intentional result of the blacksmith work.

He generally proceeds from two or three types of steels (hard, soft, carbon, nickel, etc.), which he selects according to aesthetic and technical considerations, and which he welds hot by successive hammering.
The various bends and twists that the blacksmith will subject to the steel will form the decorations.

Once this step is completed, it is time to reveal the patterns. This is done by applying a product, usually some acid, to the damascus steel blade. As steels are different, the acid will not act with the same intensity on all layers and it is this difference in intensity that will reveal the patterns.

Damascus steel : An industrial version with Powder metallurgy

 

Damascus steel is nowadays also produced industrially thanks to powder metallurgy. It is a recent technology based on an ancestral know-how. The steel obtained is no longer produced by melting different steels but by sintering: a powder (or a set of powders for the damascus) is heated to bring it to melting, as did the first potters!

This technology allows to create damascus steels with an extremely fine and regular grain, with very varied and controlled patterns.

Why buy a damascus steel blade?

 

First, whatever the manufacturing method, damascus steels present unique patterns which alone are excellent reason to own one of these blades.

On the technical and functional side, the damascus blades are also rich in carbon, which generaly gives them increased resistance and an exceptional cutting edge, appreciated as well in the kitchen, as at the table with a damascus table knife … or with a damascus pocket knife of exception!

Finally, the know-how associated with the manufacturing of a handcrafted damascus steel blade constitutes a artwork, charged with history and registered in the Inventory of French Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Our know-how : Work all damascus steels

 

At Goyon-Chazeau, we are committed to the perpetuation of this craft wealth. If you wish to acquire a knife with a damascus blade, you have the possibility of orienting yourself either on an artisanal damascus or on an industrial damascus.

Adaptable to all of our wooden handles and horns, our LE THIERS® and Stylver blades are also available with handles made with rare materials such as natural mammoth, tinted mammoth molar, giraffe bone, fossilized coral, etc …

We also reply to tailor-made requests, always with the desire to continue to build the history of our know-how.