Create exceptional custom knives with premium USA-made 416-layer carbon Damascus steel bar stock. Available in a variety of striking patterns and dimensions, this high-quality blade steel is forged from a carefully balanced combination of 52100, 5160, 203E, and 15N20 steels to produce outstanding cutting performance and dramatic visual appeal. After grinding, heat treating, and acid etching, the intricate layered construction comes to life with bold contrast, making every finished blade truly one of a kind.
Whether you're crafting hunting knives, chef knives, everyday carry blades, or specialty tools, this Damascus steel provides an excellent balance of toughness, edge retention, and beauty. Each bar is supplied in the annealed, unhardened condition, allowing makers to profile, machine, and finish the blade before performing their preferred heat-treating process. When properly heat treated, the steel is capable of achieving a hardness of approximately 59–61 Rockwell C for long-lasting cutting performance.
Choose from multiple bar sizes, thicknesses, and distinctive Damascus patterns, including Random, Random Raindrop, Random Ladder, and Wave, to find the perfect material for your next custom knife project.
Heat Treating Instructions
HEAT TREATING: The old fashioned way: Heat the blade until a magnet won't stick. Make sure that it is the same color all over. Quench in a light weight oil (peanut oil, 10 wt hydraulic oil, etc). Plunge quickly tip-first; do not swirl blade in oil. If you have an oven: Heat the steel up to 1550°F, then allow to soak for at least two minutes at that temperature. Quench in light weight oil.
TEMPER OR DRAW: Heat oven up to 350°F and allow blade to stay at this temperature for 1 hour. Turn oven off and allow blade to slowly cool to room temperature. Repeat if a double draw is desired. Blade should be "light straw" in color to reach approximately 58 Rockwell.
ETCHING PROCESS: Use caution when using acid! Degrease blade with acetone. Mix ferric chloride acid with distilled water (1 part water, 2 parts acid), or 60% ferric chloride and 40% white vinegar. Dip blade in a plastic container containing the acid mixture and allow a few minutes for the etching to occur. If you cannot find ferric acid, use white vinegar and/or strong coffee (it takes longer). Remove the blade from the acid on occasion to judge how deep of an etch is desired, as it may take several minutes. Once the desired level of etch is reached, do not wipe the blade with a rag as this will wipe off the dark oxide layer. Submerge the blade in a mixture of baking soda and warm water or spray it with Windex to neutralize the acid. Dry quickly with compressed air or a hair dryer to prevent flash rusting.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS: To preserve the finish of the steel and increase contrast, coat the blade in a light oil (WD-40, Break-Free, etc.), clear paint, or Renaissance Wax. If used in the kitchen, Pam or mineral oil works great to prevent rust and is food safe. After use, like any quality tool, ensure blades are wiped clean, oiled, and kept dry.
KK Swatch Size
large
Product Type:
Carbon Damascus Steel Bar Stock
Construction:
416 Layers
Steel Composition:
3 Layers 52100, 4 Layers 5160, 3 Layers 203E, 3 Layers 15N20 folded 5 times
Lot #:
Select from Options Above
Pattern:
Select from Options Above
Size:
Select from Options Above
Heat Treated:
No
Country of Origin:
USA
