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Matt Gumbrell XL Talisman in Odins Eye Damasteel
This Damasteel knife belongs to Matt Gumbrell in stabilised Amboyna Burl. The Amboyna handle's colour is wholly natural and has been finished using oil and wax.
Hi Paul
What an absolutely exquisite knife I
unwrapped today. The detail, look and weight exceed my expectations and
certainly very happy with my decision to commission a knife with you.
I look forwarded to using this knife and learning how to look after it.
Once again thank you and Best Regards
Matt
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Jon Miles XL Talisman in Odins Eye Damasteel
This Damasteel knife belongs to Jon Miles with Buffalo horn over red fibre liners.
Hi Paul. Received the knife yesterday. It's absolutely stunning and the craftsmanship is first class. There's just one thing. I initially ordered a dangler loop with the sheath. I don't know if you worked that into the price or not. Would it be possible for you to make one up and send it on. I'd be happy to pay any extra. Once again thanks for the knife. I'm very pleased and will probably be in touch soon for another one. Many thanks Jon Well, what can I say, I'm human and therefore fallible!
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ABOUT DAMASTEEL ® - DAMASTEEL COMPANY INFORMATIONDamasteel is the best performing stainless Damascus steel in the world using the latest gas-atomized PM technology with very high cleanliness.
It has incomparable toughness and strength combined with excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
This allows for a very user friendly Damascus steel that is made to be abused.
• Patented Powder Metallurgy product.
• Solid steel technology resulting in a homogenous product.
• Highest cleanliness with no inclusions.
• Incomparable toughness and strength.
• Excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
• Superior edge sharpness and cutting ability.
• Top quality and easy to work with ensures perfect result.
• Best overall performing stainless Damascus patterned steel.
IF YOU CAN FIND BETTER AND AS STUNNING - BUY IT!
RWL-34 Powder Steel is the main component of Damasteel - so the above applies. The two steels used in the production of Damasteel are RWL34 and PMC27. RWL34 serves as the harder steel and finishes "bright" after etching, while PMC27 is the softer steel which etches "dark".
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See here for: PRICES AND optional extras Select your handle material from HERE
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David Nicholson's Damasteel Knife set in Carbon Fibre
Talisman at the top, below it is the Allrounder, below which are the two Skinners as David is a keen Deer stalker. More pictures further down. I was really pleased with this set...
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Same knife set from a slightly different angle
Carbon fibre has that holographic look to it which I just cannot reproduce photographically. The photos just can't do this knife set justice, but it has impressed all who have seen it in person, including David of course. |
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The Making of Damasteel & RWL-34 Blade blanks by hand is an expensive and lengthy process. While I can't reduce the labour and time factor, I try as best I can to partially offset some of the external costs by making the blade blanks in batches. As for the materials that make a blade blank into a finished knife, I also try to source wisely. That said, the best comes at a price and there's no way I'll skimp on the quality of my materials! My way of doing things has proven its worth over the years, so I won't be changing my ways soon. I value the trust folk put in me to do right by them no matter what. Making knives for me is a mutually satisfying and fulfilling experience, so you can rest assured that I'll do my best for you from the outset right through to receiving your knife and beyond...
FOR RWL-34 KNIFE BLADES CLICK ON HERE
NEW Damasteel Blades available as at 7/11/2016 |
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Blade 1 - Allrounder XL -Damasteel 'Hugin' pattern -4mm thick. BLADE 1 IS NOW TAKEN
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Blade 2 - Allrounder XL -Damasteel 'Hugin' pattern - 4mm thick. BLADE 2 IS NOW TAKEN |
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Blade 3 - THIS BLADE IS TAKEN
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Blade - THIS BLADE IS TAKEN
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Blade 01 - Guardian XL -Damasteel 'Ladder' pattern - 5mm thick AVAILABLE |
Blade 4 - Talisman XL -Damasteel 'G. Rosen' pattern - 4.5mm thick AVAILABLE
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Blade 5 - Talisman Skin XL -Damasteel 'Rose' pattern - 3.2mm thick AVAILABLE
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Blade 6 - Talisman Skin XL -Damasteel 'Rose' pattern - 3.2mm thick AVAILABLE |
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FOR RWL-34 KNIFE BLADES CLICK ON HERE |
FOR RWL-34 KNIFE BLADES CLICK ON HERE |
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David's XL Allrounder from the same set...
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David's XL Talisman from the same set...
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David's Skinning knife set from the same set...
Photographs are a bit iffy, but I'm sure the colour cast will not detract too much from the actual content. The true colour of the Sheaths is somewhere nearer the above photo.
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David's full matching set according to his wishes...
I think David was fairly pleased with this knife set according to what he said below... Hi Paul Regards David = |
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Hi Paul, Firstly, thank you for the delivery of my next additions to the collection of AKA "Frenchy" knives.
You have excelled again with your ability to produce these fine specimens. If you ever require a career change then you should choose to be an artist..
I'm unsure, if I you would allow me to take these stalking into the field or should I put them in a glass case! In all honesty, you know me, they will be used for sure everyday when I'm out in the field, now having some time to use them over the past couple of months, they are well balanced and a real pleasure to use, and of course razor sharp... I have received comments when I use them from others who are looking on with envy!
Anyhow, keep up the good work and the artistry, book me another slot and we can discuss the next project....
Regards David
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David Nicholson's XL Allrounder
David has eight of my Damasteel knives up to now, so I can only assume that he likes my work even though he's a man of few words... |
Robert Hanna's XL Talisman in book matched Desert Ironwood
Hello Paul, Well what can I say, the knife is beautiful and has exceeded my expectations. I was thrilled to finally get hold of it last night when my partner came home with it. Both the knife itself and the sheath are outstanding and just the right colours for my liking. You are a true artist when it comes to knife making. My very best, Robert.
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John Gillespie XL Talisman in Amboyna Burl
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John Turnbull's XL Talisman in Laurel Burl
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See here for: PRICES and optional extras Select your handle material from HERE
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Simon Jacklin's XL Allrounder
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Ian Hammond composite handle knife set
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My first Damasteel Guardian XL
This knife is based on the Mk2 Guardian, one of my original knife models that I'm re-introducing. This one I originally made for myself, but a good friend of mine who travels widely asked for it as he wanted to make a gift of it to a Peruvian friend of his.
The handle is Amboyna Burl, a lump of which I have recently acquired at great cost. The back of the handle is adorned with a slice of Buffalo horn, although the Guardian proper in D2 steel will have a 3mm brass butt cap instead. The grind is modest on this knife because the stock is 3.2mm thick. It really turned out nice...
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XL Talisman in stabilised Oak Burl
The above Damasteel bladed knife is made up with stabilised Oak Burl over white fibre liners with Mosaic pins and brass lined Lanyard tube.
As can be ascertained when comparing these XL Damasteel blades to the Woodlore clone blade, you'll be getting a lot of knife for your bucks! The Damasteel blade blanks are shown in a clean etched state ready to be worked with. The blades will be processed further throughout the build, ending with a stunningly beautiful finish that only Damasteel can provide.
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Joe Sheperd Damasteel knife in Desert Ironwood
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Matt Milton Damasteel knife in Amboyna
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Grant Cook Ladder Damasteel Allrounder in Thuya Burl
This Allrounder is in Thuya Burl over red fibre liners and belongs to Grant Cook who took a liking to some animal walking over his nice Sheath...
The handle part of any of my knives may alter in overall shape as I take in consideration the end users stated hand size. |
It's not often I show a knife from above to show off the contouring of the handle.
It's also worth noting that I shape the handle according to the end user's stated hand size so the knife sits safely, comfortably and securely in the hand.
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Steve Rickards Guardian knife in Thuya
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All the above RWL-34 blades have been taken. Final profile shape can be altered - within reason - according to end user requirements. Once gone, they're gone... |
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DAMASTEEL 'ALLROUNDER' TYPE KNIFE IN BUFFALO HORN WITH MOSAIC PINS AND CERAMIC ROD PLEASE NOTE THAT MY RWL-34 BLADES SHOWN OPPOSITE HAVE ALL BEEN USED UP. "More knife for your buck..." |
My RWL-34 type blades size comparison against a Woodlore clone type blade - second blade down.
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DAMASTEEL 'ALLROUNDER' TYPE KNIFE IN THUYA BURL WITH MOSAIC PINS AND CERAMIC ROD
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The Talisman XL in Buffalo Horn for Ben
"The knife you sent is outstanding, every time i look at it, I'm impressed and it has a lovely balance in the hand. I have shown it to some friends who are all equally impressed, but then joke that it is almost too nice to take out and use in the field!"
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Below are three Damasteel blades that I made still looking rough after having been through the specialised heath treating and cryogenic process.
Below are the same three blades after I cleaned them up, re-ground and re-etched in readiness to be made into knives.
Damasteel takes and holds an excellent edge similar to RWL-34 with the Rockwell hardness in the 59-61Rc range. In fact, if you were to research how Damasteel is made, you'll find that RWL-34 is a main constituent of Damasteel. I love Damasteel and whenever I get the chance, I treat myself with a Damasteel knife, which lifts my spirit no end!
DAMASTEEL 'TALISMAN' BASED KNIFE IN STABILISED MASUR BIRCH WITH MOSAIC PINS
This photo is of the same knife shown above, but I was asked to alter the handle configuration so the back one third of the handle is in Buffalo horn - so I complied as the new owner is a good mate of mine!
Although I make a number of knives for myself, be it on Damasteel, RWL-34 etc, I end up keeping very few in the long term. For me, the most enjoyable part of knife-making is the 'doing'. So no matter how much I like a particular knife, it's not unusual for me to part with if it's going to go to a good home. That said, some knives I own have sentimental value to me and as a consequence, I tend not to part with them and even keep them apart from my many other knives that I have in my collection.
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RWL-34 SPECIALS
The Talisman XL and Allrounder XL RWL - 34 steel
The Talisman is a great favourite of mine. The Allrounder is popular too. Both have a proven record in use and each have been greatly appreciated in several countries, from desert to deep jungle environments where their strength and non-rusting ability has been well appreciated. Both knives, even in their standard form have always been a knife of some substance when compared to the 'Woodlore' say. As time progressed, little variations crept in, based on feedback through personal experience. I find these two models are ideal to base RWL-34 and Damasteel knives on, be it in XL format.
Both RWL-34 and Damasteel are stainless and take and hold an excellent edge. The grind is a single Scandi type with a zero degree cutting edge. Damasteel is based on RWL-34, so you can be assured that your knife is top spec.
Overall length: 22 - 24 cm appx. Cutting edge: 11.2 cm Handle length: 11.3 cm Width of blade: 32 - 35 mm appx. Thickness of blade: Varies from blade to blade. Type of grind: Full Scandi to 0 degree cutting edge. Hardness 60 Rockwell scale
For those folk who know their Onions, my finished knife prices may appear to be on the low side, more so with regard to the Damasteel and RWL-34 ones. Adversely, for the uninitiated however, it may seem that even for such a high quality knife, the price seems rather high. In both instances one has to ask - In comparison to what?
Well, what if I say that some makers charge a lot more for a knife made from 01 tool steel with very ordinary handle materials then I do for one made from RWL-34 or Damasteel steel with a wide choice of stunning handle materials and top fittings?!
The thing is that I while I keep myself informed, I'm not in competition with any other knife makers, some of whom I admire greatly. Personal needs, preferences and circumstances play a large part in determining the final choice with regard to the choosing of type of knife and base materials it's to be made from and of course, who they entrust with the project. One often needs to be cost conscious too and value for money might play an important part once all the research has been done. I never ask why folk choose me from so many good makers. Maybe I do things the wrong way around, because for me it's not the 'Why they chose me' that matters, but the end result and the feedback that follows, unasked for, but freely given. That's when I know for certain whether I met or hopefully exceeded expectations. Only a positive result is what makes me happy, nothing less will do...
Paul's Talisman XL in Cocobolo
Hi Paul, Got back from Keswick today in time to pick up the knife from the post office and I have to say it is absolutely stunning ! Love the sheath you sent with it as well , looks beautiful with it. Cheers,
Paul. |
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TALISMAN XL in RWL-34 Steel
Above is another oversized Talisman knives, hence the XL bit. Initially I only made two of these RWL-34 blades to see what happens.
but intend making more.
The knife above is in Cocobolo for Nick, who also wanted something different. Even if I say so myself, it turned out quite smart and from personal experience, sure to be fit for purpose... |
The Super Bushmaster XL RWL - 34 steel
One of the two Super Bushmaster blades made up with an Afzelia handle and Mosaic pins. No matter how hard you try to imagine how the finished knife will look, seeing it for real gives one a nice feeling.
This knife is for a lady who's involved with the Scouts. Julie followed my advice and now is going to end up with a fantastic piece of kit that will surely be well admired by her fellow Scouting group... This is what she wrote to me after receiving the knife:
Hi Paul, I got the knife today :-))))) It is WONDERFUL, I just sat and held it for a while before removing it from the sheath. Thank you VERY, VERY much, it will be treasured. Kindest regards Julie
This the last of the Super Bushmaster XL. The handle is Black and Green Micarta over green fibre liners. Fittings are Three Mosaic pins and Lanyard tube.
The photo just does not do this lovely knife justice...
This knife now belongs to Roy Crosland and this is what he had to say about it:
"The knife has arrived safely, and I'm very happy indeed. The scales are beautifully fitted, and the handle fits better than any other. The sheath is also first rate. Many thanks and congratulations on a job superbly well done. Best Regards, Roy."
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Special One-off knives in Damasteel and RWL-34 steel
Please note, that while I work to fine tolerances, any sizes stated should be taken as approximate. |
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