Damascus EDC Knife - Legendary Uniqueness: 大马士革随身刀

There is a Regular EDC knife, and there is a Damascus EDC knife!

An EDC knife is meant for everyday carry. Our lives are different. What is the best EDC for me may not be the best EDC for you. However, you'e never wrong with a Damascus EDC knife, which represents outstanding uniqueness, supreme quality, and rich history.

The Legendary Damascus Steel

Like the stripes of a wild animal, the laminated bands of a
genuine Damascus blade ripple and shimmer in the sunlight, giving true delight to the knowledgeable eye. A product of folding and hot-forging layer upon layer of high-quality steel, each Damascus blade is a unique expression of the knife-maker's art. The reputation and history of Damascus steel has given rise to many legends, such as the ability to cut through a rifle barrel or to cut a hair falling across the blade.

The steel is named after Damascus, the capital city of Syria. It may either refer to swords made or sold in Damascus directly, or it may just refer to the aspect of the typical patterns, by comparison with Damask fabrics (which are in turn named after Damascus).

Loss of the technique

Production of these patterned swords gradually declined, ceasing by around 1750, and the process was lost to metalsmiths. Several modern theories have ventured to explain this decline, including the breakdown of trade routes to supply the needed metals, the lack of trace impurities in the metals, the possible loss of knowledge on the crafting techniques through secrecy and lack of transmission, suppression of the industry in India by the British Raj, or a combination of all the above.

Modern Reproduction

Modern attempts to duplicate the metal have not been entirely successful due to differences in raw materials and manufacturing techniques. Since the well-known technique of "Pattern Welding" produced surface patterns similar to those found on Damascus blades, some blacksmiths were erroneously led to believe that Damascus blades were made using this technique, but today, the difference between wootz steel and pattern welding is fully documented and well understood. Pattern-welded steel has been referred to as "Damascus steel" since 1973. This "Modern Damascus" is made from several types of steel and iron slices welded together to form a billet, and currently the term "Damascus" (although technically incorrect) is widely accepted to describe modern pattern welded steel blades in the trade. The patterns vary depending on how the smith works the billet. The billet is drawn out and folded until the desired number of layers are formed.

My Picks of Damascus EDC Knifes

Kershaw 1760DAM Skyline EDC Knife

My favorite one - The best of the best! The famous EDC knife of Kershaw Skyline with a Damascus blade. Phenomenal pattern, razor sharp edge. Perfect EDC size: blade length: 3" (7.5 cm), closed Length: 4" (10.3 cm). Light weight 2.3 oz. To top it all off, this is Made In USA. No wonder, amazon always runs out of shock.

Kershaw Damascus Steel Leek EDC Knife

Damascus version of the classic EDC Kershaw Leek. Compared with 1760DAM Skyline, it has assisted opening but slightly more weight (3.1 oz). I am not a big fan of Leek's skinny blade shape. Still a great Damascus EDC, plus Made in USA.

Kershaw Damascus Steel Chive EDC Knife

Another light EDC with weight under 2 oz. Cost $65, better price than 1760DAM Skyline and Leek, While, its damascus pattern is not as complicated as the others. Still a nice EDC, Made in USA.

Mcusta Damascus EDC knife with Rosewood Handle

Breathtaking beauty of Damascus blade in natural Indian Rosewood handle. Well-know Japanese manufacture Mcusta. Slightly heavy (3.65 oz). 3.62" blade length and 8" overall. The blade is held solidly in a steel liner locker. Contoured finger grooves for additional comfort in the hand. 
A little expensive, but you get what you pay.