Info about damascus daggers? - The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions

#1 03-06-2002, 09:18 AM

I guess I'll need lots of luck for anyone here to have an idea from whom the following pieces could be, but who knows? Any information at all would be great.

They were aquired together at a show in Germany in 1999.

The integral's few specs:

OAL: 260mm
Blade length: 135mm
Blade width: 5mm
Steel: Damascus

Specs:

OAL: 240mm
Blade length: 135mm
Blade width: 5mm
Steel: Damascus
Handle: German silver, I think, and ebony wood.

Thanks a bunch!

#2 03-06-2002, 04:10 PM

The shape of the top one along with the damascus pattern seems to scream Manfred Saches.

If they are, hold onto them for a couple more years. They will unfortunatly go up in value

.

Or, sell them to me now

.

#3 03-06-2002, 04:34 PM

Great, thanks a lot for the info! I have no idea if the could be from Manfred Saches (is the last name correct that way?), but I'll try to find out.

G'Night!

#4 03-06-2002, 05:45 PM

From the paper work I have on him that is the correct spelling. Kind of abnormal for a German name huh. It is prononced "socks" as far as I know.

I know that he is now retired and is unfortunatly in very poor health.

#5 03-06-2002, 05:54 PM

I think Saches does his own damascus, and I would guess these two blades are Damasteel. Blades probably are European, though.

#6 03-06-2002, 07:22 PM

Don, not sure about the damasteel. But after spending more time looking, I doubt that they are Saches. They do not appear to be forged to shape, but stock removal. Manfred is a forger.

If what I am seeing in the damasc pattern is right, they are ground not forged.

#7 03-06-2002, 07:41 PM

The correct spelling is 'Sachse' (I have his book on damascus). I don't think these blades are made by him. The only similarity I see is the distinctive plunges, which I have seen quite a bit on other Sachse knives. Sachse made quite a bit of damask for other makers in the region.

Brett

#8 03-07-2002, 03:57 AM

Lot's of answers here.

I guess we are back to step one now, but at least we now have the correct spelling and I've learnt another maker.

Mind teaching me how to tell the difference between forged and filed Damascus? I'm always happy to learn new skills.

Thanks.

#9 03-07-2002, 11:41 AM

Charon,

In general, damascus that is forged will have less pattern variation. In other words, the thin and thick parts of the blade should exhibit a similar pattern. Much of it depends on the type of patterning.

Brett

#10 03-07-2002, 01:14 PM

unless it is forged Damasteel..(yes it can be done..!) it is not...I have work so much with Damasteel that I can say this and be very sure that it is not..of course I could be wrong...but I don?t think I am.

As for who made the knives...dunno..yet I have seen the top one before..maybe in Knives Annual?

#11 03-07-2002, 04:02 PM

Do you happen to know which edition of Knives Annual?

#12 03-07-2002, 06:37 PM

Fred Carter just emailed me this photo from a 1985 Issue of Blade- it may shed some light on the subject, since there is a definite family resemblance.

#13 03-08-2002, 04:37 AM

Hmm, the ad reminds me of the following dagger, also by Charlton Ltd. Do you think this one is forged, and do you think the integral at the top is by Charlton Ltd.?

Oh, and if anyone cares to make an offhand guess about the knives' worth, please try! I have no idea.

#14 03-08-2002, 04:44 AM

You are right, the knife in the ad and the second dagger from the top definitely have a family resemblance, but it could just be a copy??

#15 03-14-2002, 08:15 PM

Maybe you can e-mail Manfred and ask him for a lead. This is his website: www.damaszener.de/index.html

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Alicia LeCroix, Backherz