How thin can you go with Damascus?

C

CDH

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
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I have a fishing guide who wants me to make him a stainless damascus fillet knife. I'd go with 1/16" stock but the thinnest I see readily available is 3/32. Is 1/16" just too thin?
 
It is quite thin which makes its own problems, but when I worked for my dad we put out a lot of very thin material, especially for Case knives.
 
delbert ealy said:
I know that several people have used my damascus at .040"
Thanks,
Del
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No excessive problems with warping, delaminating, etc. at that thinness? I picked 1/16" because that is the thickness of the Dexter Russel knives he currently burns through by the dozen, and he wants something along that pattern with a similar flex/stiffness. Be warned that this blade will get used and used hard...this will not be a wall hanger.

Thanks!
 
If the damascus is properly made to start with, you should be able to forge it to any practical thickness. I have forged it to probably .02 for a mini. For a very thin blade you want the steels in the mix to be suitably matched. I would suggest 15N20 and 1070 for a fillet knife.
Stacy
 
Del's correct. I actually took a piece of Del's Damascus and ground it down to .050 for a cigar cutter.

Bill
 
I should probably note that this is a Gulf of Mexico fishing guide, so it will be used on saltwater fish and carried in a boat running on saltwater bays, so the corrosion resistance of the usual carbon steel damascus would be bad...hence my original request for stainless steel. I have seen a few of the powdered metal damascus billets available, but only in thicker stock. I don't have access to a surface grinder to thin it down.

I have contacted a couple of forumites to see what they can provide, but I'm open to other options. Thanks!
 
CDH said:
I should probably note that this is a Gulf of Mexico fishing guide, so it will be used on saltwater fish and carried in a boat running on saltwater bays, so the corrosion resistance of the usual carbon steel damascus would be bad...hence my original request for stainless steel. I have seen a few of the powdered metal damascus billets available, but only in thicker stock. I don't have access to a surface grinder to thin it down.

I have contacted a couple of forumites to see what they can provide, but I'm open to other options. Thanks!
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Devin Thomas most likely makes more thin stainless damascus than anyone else.
 
I'll second the use of Devin Thomas steel :thumbup:

I have to comment on the carbon/saltwater :) I was in the commercial fishing business for 10 years in the northern Gulf of Mexico and used only carbon steel knives, on and off the boats :D Corrosion was not a problem, with just a little care given to the knives.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I'll second the use of Devin Thomas steel :thumbup:

I have to comment on the carbon/saltwater :) I was in the commercial fishing business for 10 years in the northern Gulf of Mexico and used only carbon steel knives, on and off the boats :D Corrosion was not a problem, with just a little care given to the knives.
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I sent Devin an email for more information. Thanks, his name has now come up 3-4 times...and all in a good way!:thumbup:

I know the guy I'm making this knife for pretty well. He would baby it for about a month, then it'd end up getting lost in a hatch in his boat for a month at a time. I'm new enough to knifemaking that every one is a bit special, and seeing this knife (by far the highest $$$ blade I've made to date) get ruined would hurt me. :D

I know, it's his money...but I think I owe it to him as a customer (and occasional fishing buddy) to fit it to his modes of operation for better or worse.
 
By the way, the hoss e-mail generally isn't answered. I've erased it off the website before but they keep putting it back on. Calling is good too.
 
Sounds like stainless is best for your situation and Devin makes the best. Actually, Devin Thomas has made more damascus than anyone in the world. Like Larrin said, call Devin. I talk to him on the phone once a month or so, he's a great guy but doesn't usually return emails.
 
Devin is a quality control expert. He makes a very good cutting Damascus in many patterns...Take Care...Ed
 
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