Damascus Pocket Knife, 8.97" Tanto Folding Knife Handmade Forged VG10 Core 67-Layer Damascus Steel with Abalone Seashell Handle, Leather Sheath

This knife is absolutely beautiful. I own several of these kind of knives. I love the size shape and color of this knife. Beautiful!!!!!

I ordered this knife because of its unique appearance; I'd never before seen abalone seashell handle panels and I questioned their durability. The knife is visually distinctive: the Damascus steel blade has been acid strongly etched to emphasize the damasking pattern, while the handle panels are transparent plastic that cover what appears to be (visible joins) mosaiced tiles of iridescent abalone shell. The web page photos don't do justice to the iridescent handles -- the abalone iridescent colors truly pop in good light. IMO this well-made folding knife will remain visually distinctive throughout its long service life.The 4" long folding blade is made from VG10 core Damascus steel; the damasking pattern has been visually enhanced by acid etching and the VG10 core is visible on the blade backbone. VG10 is an affordable quality blade steel that achieves high hardness (HRC 61) plus rust-resistance (15% chromium) in a blade stiff core. The VG10 stiff core is sandwiched between multiple layers of softer flexible steel that support the VG10 core and resist brittle blade snapping. The folding blade has a (finger guard) flipper and a (thumb guard) backbone bump; the blade flips open easily one-handed and locks securely on a ball bearing pivot with no blade wiggle or side play. The one-handed blade thumb release operates conventionally. The blade has a Tanto point: 3" of flat edge then 1" of triangular point edge. The edges are well-ground, ready for touch-up with whetstone and strop (thumbnail drag test). The full thickness blade backbone is half width at the pivot and tapers to zero at the Tanto edge break; the blade tapers linearly from the backbone to the cutting edge. Caveat: sharp point Tanto blades are not intended for prying use.The 5" handle is stainless steel framed with transparent plastic panels overlaying abalone seashell tiles; the panels attach to the stainless steel frame with Torx screws. The handle has a slight finger indent and is comfortably long (though skinny) in large hands. The handle frame is drilled for lanyard attachment and is shipped with an attached leather thong. There is no trouser packet clip but the package includes a belt holster of well-sewn good leather reinforced with brass rivets; a belt loop hangs from the holster back. Small anomaly: the holster works best with the knife flipper end out; the lanyard is contained within the holster instead of hanging free (shrug). The leather holster will not react well to water soaking; this visually distinctive folding knife is better suited for urbane activity.

The media could not be loaded. 1. Initial Impressions:• Packaging: Came in a nice gift box, well-packed and secure.2. Product Features and Performance:• Build Quality: This knife has good weight to it and locks up tight when open. The handle scales look great and feel sturdy.• Design and Aesthetics: The abalone handle and Damascus blade make this knife stand out. It’s a great mix of looks and function.• Sharpness: The blade was sharp out of the box and ready to use.• Sheath Quality: The leather sheath is better than most at this price. It’s well-made and holds the knife securely.4. Value for Money:• Price vs. Quality: Great value for the quality you get. The knife, sheath, and gift box make it a solid buy, especially for the price.• Alternatives: It’s a narrow blade once stored in the scales, I prefer a bit of a wider knife for EDC but this one works perfect for what it is and it’s really nice. Any alternative I list would be a different form factor so not a good comparison unless we include automatic knives but they aren’t legal in all states.5. Final Thoughts:• Overall Satisfaction: This is a well-made knife that looks great and works well. Perfect for everyday use or as a gift.• Who is it for: Ideal for anyone who wants a good-looking, reliable knife for everyday carry or as a gift.Pros:• Beautiful handle and blade• Solid build and lock• Good quality leather sheath• Great valueCons:• None

This is a very attractive knife... I can tell its some sort of folded steel... but as far as the Damascus pattern, it does seem to be artificial... just looking at other real Damascus blades I have seen and own.The blade comes very sharp and I have been giving it the cardboard breakdown testing and it has remained very sharp, I am impressed.The scales are cheap plastic, but look nice. The liners are metal and the lockup is positive with around 60%.The biggest issue I have with the knife is the comically small pivot section. I would not count on this knife for anything serious... thus it will only be used for fancy letter opening and box breakdowns.Overall, I do enjoy using this knife as a glorified letter opener. The action is smooth thanks for the ball bearing and its fun to fidget with as a flipper.

I got this knife because I love knives and I have a small, but growing, collection. This is my third Drachenader knife and I gotta say, I do love the brand. The Tanto blade on this knife is well-executed and really adds to the beauty of the also gorgeous Abalone handle. Like my second Drachenader knife, this knife is a work or art. I do find the blade a little tricky to open and you definitely want to be careful where that razor-sharp tip goes, so pay attention.The price for this knife at the time of this review is only $38. I say “only” because you’d be hard-pressed to by another normal piece of art for that price.

I like everything about this knife except for the carrying method. It is sharp enough to cut kevlar fibers with ease. The finger flip was a little tight until I applied some WD40 specialist lube. There is no pocket clip which is how I prefer to carry my knives. However, it does have a leather lanyard and belt mounted open carry sheath.

The blade on this knife is wicked sharp, with a noticeable Damascus steel texture. It comes slightly oiled for optimal performance.The knife is about as heavy as you'd expect; the carry holster seems to be actual leather, which is nice.The handle looks really nice, even if the clear polymer is a bit slippery - wood is better imo.For the price, 10/10