Do You Know What Damascus Steel Is?
It is a very special type of steel with mysterious patterns. The patterns vary from piece to piece and the manufacturer shapes them as he wishes. It is an alloy of two or more types of steel (high and low carbon) to produce fascinating patterns.
Damascus steel was originally produced in regions of India and Sri Lanka, from where it was imported all over the world. Some argue that Damascus steel is so named because it originated in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
If you have a Damascus knife or are considering buying one, you should also learn how to maintain your knife and, in particular, you should learn some tips on how to sharpen its blade.
If the concentration of stainless steel is high, the knife blade will lose its sharpness more quickly. You will need to sharpen it more often to keep it sharp.
However, if you choose a carbon steel knife, you don't have to worry too much about losing its sharpness because carbon steel doesn't lose its sharpness easily. However, a carbon steel knife is very prone to corrosion and rusting and is not so much preferred over stainless steel.
Therefore, when using such knives, you need to know how to sharpen a Damascus blade properly.
Where Damascus Steel Gets Its Name
No one knows where the name Damascus Steel comes from, but there are several popular theories. One theory suggests that the name comes from Damascus in Syria. Another theory suggests that the name comes from the blade smiths of Damascus, who were known for their incredible craftsmanship. However, the most likely theory is that the name 'Damascus steel' originated from the fact that these blades were made. They were unique and beautiful and attracted people's attention as they passed by. Because of its beauty, many believe that Damascus Steel was named after the city of Damascus, which was known for making magnificent blades since ancient times.
How To Sharpen A Damascus Knife?
What tools are needed to sharpen a Damascus knife?
The three most important tools needed to sharpen a Damascus knife are:
- Sharpening stone
- Hand or electric sharpener
- A rifle
These allow the Damascus knife to be sharpened correctly and transformed into a new blade.
Let's see how.
Sharpening With A Water Stone
If you want to sharpen your Damascus knife the traditional way, you can use a water stone. This will give you great results while giving you a certain satisfaction of being able to do it yourself. What you will need:
- A dull knife
- A double-sided blade stone (more on this below)
- A bowl of water
- Towel
Choosing A Whetstone
If for some reason you don't have a sharpening stone, you need to get one! We recommend buying a double-sided whetstone, with 6 000 grits on one side and 1 000 grit on the other.
Without going into details, the smaller the number, the coarse the stone. Ideally, you should have different stones with different grit numbers to make the blade as sharp as possible. However, if you are just starting out, a double-sided sharpening stone will do.
