Smallshop
KNIFE MAKER
Is there such a thing as a "certified" maker of damascus or would you buy the steel from a certified supplier of steel and make your own.
How many non-MS's test there damascus blades in a ABS fashion? It is probably safe to say not many. Myself I have never bent one of my damascus blades over 90°. At my level I'll keep my hard work. lol,,,,
Naw...certified steels are good, but in my fairly unqualified opinion...the process is most of where the wrong turns happen...Ed is a master smith. The testing is fairly rigorous...for good reason. I would buy any of his work with no qualms.
When a guy has been making Damascus for 4 months...no in depth understanding of metallurgy so to speak...and begins selling blades...would you buy one? Might be a great blade....might not.
I'm just not a risk taker anymore. About 6 years ago I went to the Pasadena Ca show with my brother...he has some high quality knives...but stopped at a booth run by a very nice man from Pakistan...who sold him a knife for about $50. Beautiful looking hunter...decent finish. I turned and walked away to look at some other knives...He was irritated that I walked away...as if I was a snob. I told him that that knife would never leave his property because he could not trust that blade and he knew he could not trust that blade...so it's good for home use I guess. he got kind of quiet when I said that....it's not about whether a particular blade is good or not...it's can you trust it? Really?
The only way you can trust a blade is to trust the maker. Period. That's why we all are trying hard to build good reputations....Anything else is wishful thinking...and a roll o' the dice.
If I personally knew a Damascus maker that was not an ABS smith...but I knew his process and his work habits and philosophy of excellence...the continuity of his craftsmanship...a few years of making under his belt...yeah I'd buy a blade from him. Once again...all these criteria stack up to trust...
Unfortunately the older I get the less I trust about anyone...LOL!