Dipping into Damascus

[AT5760]

I’m not sure that I want to go here, but I am intrigued by the visual appeal of some of these knives.

IF, big IF, I wanted to dip my toes in this area, where would folks start? I know that’s a stupidly broad question.

My gut says just start with S. Tanaka since his knives are affordable and solid cutters.

So, iron clad, carbon core. And a decent cutter. And not crazy expensive.

 

[blokey]

https://www.instagram.com/dylan_ambrosini/https://www.dylanambrosiniknives.com/availableHis stuff is surprisingly well priced

 

[TheDza]

If you're looking for Japanese smiths, I'm a fan of Nakagawa's damascus

 

[Just a DK]

Have you heard of Shun? but I hear Miyabi might be better .

Sorry no troll, but you just missed a very good komorebi drop from home butcher.

 

[enrico]

Shig Tanaka or Sukenari would be my suggestion. Great cutters at a solid price.

 

[esoo]

I've had one S. Tanaka and was highly unimpressed. I know people like them but I disliked it from the moment I've picked up. There was just wrong about the whole package.

I've had Miyabi and ZKramer versions. They're ok but the blade underneath sucks in the way that they do. And pattern welding on them just doesn't get the contrast that carbon does.

A Y Tanaka from JNS was nice enough, didn't really stand out to me. I like the patterning on Tanaka x Yohei I have up for sale. What I find cool about it is that I don't really notice a clad line - it's almost like the bright part of the cladding is the same steel as the core (which I know it isn't)

 

[superworrier]

Stainless - I would say Sukenari
High contrast stainless (think black) - Maybe Yoshikane?
Carbon damascus - I would like at the numerous Y Tanakas available. Nakagawa also has a bunch
Coreless - try to get a Fredrik Spare somehow

 

[Qapla']

For what kind of knife?

 

[tim huang]

 

[Nemo]

Start by buying some ferric chloride.

 

[Qapla']

Start by buying some ferric chloride.

If and only if he feels the need to re-etch it, and if the design of the knife would make it relevant (e.g. a damascus gyuto). If he chooses a single-bevel, there's not so much an issue with re-etching, as thinning is built into sharpening.

 

[AT5760]

@Qapla' , it would be a double bevel. Beyond that, this is not a "need" so bunka/nakiri/petty/gyuto would all be options.

I know a re-etch may be necessary after thinning, but I've also got enough knives in the rotation that it's a long time before any knife needs to be thinned.

I think I'd definitely lean towards iron clad.