$75 USD Damascus Knife - Fake or Real Experiment

As mentioned in the title of the video, we have to keep in mind that there are various types of steel used to make Damascus knives. There are also different processes used; from handmade to machine made - this video is to experiment on a $75 USD Kakushin Kitchen Knife to see if by sanding and grinding down the patterns, we can make them reappear. Are those laser engraved or simply etched to display patterns that will eventually disappear because they are fake?

[richierich]

the whole video I thought you were trying to prove it was fake after the acid im like wtf lol nice knife

[daw]

If someone wants to buy factory pattern welded steel and run a relatively automated setup, they can turn these knives out quick and cheap, and they're usually good knives. If there's a deficiency with most knives past even a moderate point, it's the user's ability to understand edge geometry and sharpen steel with different burr characteristics.

I still grind my own knives, though, and some for other people. Internet wants an argument that only one way is good, but everything can be good and if someone wants to pay for a handmade knife that's a little better or even the same as some of the better factory made knives, there's no shame in paying someone to make something by hand.

[mignonmcgregor]

The proofs in the pudding and you did a great job of proving it. Thank you I'm looking forward to purchasing my set.

[tonyninivaggi]

I have a small knife shop at a Flea Market in Pensacola, Florida. I have been selling the same knives for ten years and decited to buy Damascus Knives from Wazirabad Punjab, Pakistan and Texas. I have been hoping they are real. Loved your video and you cleared up allot of questions. Best video on YouTube ! Thank You Soul Man

[fatihgul]

Really thank you for your afford and sharing. I bought similar knife and had suspicion about being Damascus or not. But now I am satisfied with your video.
Thanks

[denishuizing]

Definitely real layered steel, no question about that.
Not to mention, kakushin has fantastic customer support. I have a couple of these knives and they are very high quality for the price you pay

[alexatrachji]

Thank you so much for this. I bought this exact knife as a gift and was concerned. Not any more!

[robertkelly]

This is a great video. The knife you used had the damascus pattern going though the blade. I believe there are knives being made in which there seems to be two Damascus layers sandwiching a piece of steel which is the part that actually holds the edge. Almost like using a veneer around a normal knife.
Is that a thing? I'm trying to explain to my son how these knives are being produced so cheaply.

[ihcterra]

The problem comes from everyone using Damascus to describe pattern welded steel instead of of the patterned crucible steels.

Pattern welded steels were invented to compensate for low quality bloomery steel well before crucible steels became a thing.

If you have patterned crucible steel, you were guaranteed to have a high quality steel because it is cleaner and homogenous. People started to fake the pattern with pattern welding and called it Damascus. It has been used so much that people just think that is how you make Damascus steels.

[nickulvatten]

What most people don't understand is that 'Damascus' steel(the proper term is pattern-welded or laminated steel) is not that hard or complicated to make and nothing that special really.
Nowadays there are many suppliers that produce it en-masse and at a low cost.
Of course the quality of the forge-welding and heat-treatment of the cheap mass produced 'Damascus' knives is probably not as high as a custom-made one off piece.
Anyway cool video, I like people who are brave enough to experiment and figure things out for themselves than just speculate and argue!

[bediaswild]

This was interesting! Thanks for posting.

[thewanderingpatriot]

Depends on the quality of the steel in the blend. The acid is etching the higher carbon like 5160 black. This is gives the hardness to the blade. That’s what determines the cost. More black in the pattern, means more high carbon steel. Cheap Damascus isn’t good Damascus....Unless you like sharpening it ALOT.

[jackdaniels]

Beautiful, can I ask if that 67 layers 10Cr15CoMoV core Damascus steel can be etched dark with coffee?

[therealjayfire]

Thanks for the heads up good looking out for the people

[gator]

Good video, I had a question about a $25 knife and did similar job and used vinegar. It was patterned.

[gothamantiquities]

A TUMBS up from me! That was a fun and informative video and love your enthusiasm!

[bathorimikihorsemanship]

The grinding gave the pattern a digital feel. Tactical damascus chefs knife.

[sangitadevi]

You did not say what brand of knife this was or where to get it. I wanted to buy one.

[Thevoicefromwithout]

Do you know if the Wakoli knives are layered or lasered?

[MRmladen]

what is the name of the liquid in which you dip the knife to show the layer. And where to buy? Thanks