Damascus Knives

Damascus steel is a special manufacturing method that maximizes both functionality and aesthetic value in knife production. In this technique, the hard steel core that forms the cutting edge of the blade is placed between softer and more flexible outer layers. Unlike the classic San-Mai lamination, this method uses five or more (always an odd number) layers of steel. This is why it is sometimes called Suminagashi. Suminagashi, meaning "ink flow" in Japanese, refers to a pattern similar to traditional marbling art, and this name is used because the wavy patterns seen on the surface of Damascus steel resemble this art.