Damascus knives get their name from the famous ancient city of Damascus, now the capital of modern Syria. You can tell a knife is made of Damascus steel right away because of the swirling patterns on the flat side of the blade. These patterns are created during the forging process as a result of the continuous folding and beating of metal, kind of how katanas get their hamon lines.
These forging methods give Damascus knives a great ability to keep their edge and while maintaining flexibility.
Now, with such a fancy sounding forging method, you’d think the Damascus knife was expensive or at least on the pricey end, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Damascus knives are actually quite cheap when you take into account the quality of the product and how long you’re able to use them without having to worry about pulling out your whetstone.
TOP CHOICES
Best Kitchen Knife
MITSUMOTO SAKARI 8 inch Hand-Forged Japanese Gyuto Chef Knife
- 7-layer Damascus steel blade.
- Gorgeous burl wood knife handle.
- Full-tang blade to handle attachment.
- Multi-purpose kitchen knife.
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Best Pocket Knife
Double Blade Blue Wood 8.5'' Damascus Steel Pocket Knife
- Brass hardware on handle.
- Polished blue wood handle.
- Fully-foldable blades.
- Two blade knife for maximum utility.
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Best Premium Option
BÖKER Barlow Integral Micarta and Desert Ironwood Knife
- Riveted ironwood handle.
- Foldable 5.98-inch Damascus steel blade.
- Stylish and functional gentleman’s knife.
- Intricate details on blade and handle.
CHECK LATEST PRICE Or scroll down for our runner-ups
1Aisyoko 8-Inch Professional Damascus Steel Chef's Knife
The Aisyoko 8-Inch Professional Damascus Steel Chef’s Knife is a great all-in-one Damascus steel knife for home cooks on a budget. This knife can mince, dice, chop, slice, and everything in between whether you’re working with veggies or meat. While it may struggle with bone, the blade is large enough that you can still make it work with a little elbow grease.
The knife features a smooth wooden handle that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand with minimal movement. The only downside? It might be a bit pricey compared to your typical idea of a budget kitchen knife, but it’s well worth the price.
PROS
- Multi-purpose long blade with a fine point.
- Full-tang blade attachment.
- Smooth, polished handle.
- Dark and white contrast steel pattern.
CONS
- Too large for filleting delicate items like salmon.
- A bit on the pricey end for budget knives.
2MITSUMOTO SAKARI 8 inch Hand-Forged Japanese Gyuto Chef Knife
Best Kitchen Knife
The MITSUMOTO SAKARI 8 inch Hand-Forged Japanese Gyuto Chef Knife’s name may be a mouthful, but the pros of this knife is worth the long name. Just one look at it screams quality, especially if you note the fine weld and forge patterns on the knife that are patterned after the traditional Japanese katana.
The knife is full tang so you can rest assured it’s not going to budge no matter what you throw it at. Its handle is made of quality burl wood that helps to visually tie the whole knife’s design together.
PROS
- 7-layer Damascus steel blade.
- Gorgeous burl wood knife handle.
- Full-tang blade to handle attachment.
- Multi-purpose kitchen knife.
CONS
3Chef Knife 8 Inch Kitchen Knife Damascus Professional Sharp High Carbon Stainless Steel
If resin’s not a deal breaker for you, the Chef Knife 8 Inch Kitchen Knife Damascus Professional Sharp High Carbon Stainless Steel is a great budget knife option. This kitchen knife is optimized for use with meat and fish with an ergonomic finger placement that helps improve your overall control of the blade’s movement.
The handle on it also looks amazing, making it a great option for gifting to friends and family interested in cooking but are not deep enough into the hobby to want a very specialized knife. The resin on wood design has a lovely beach-like look that varies depending on the knife as it is handmade.
PROS
- Handmade resin and wood handles.
- Affordable Damascus steel knife.
- Comes with a box for gifting.
- Designed for slicing meat and fish.
CONS
- Resin handle may be too slipper for some users.
- Resin may grow brittle over time.
4Double Blade Blue Wood 8.5'' Damascus Steel Pocket Knife
Best Pocket Knife
Cheap comes with compromises but the Double Blade Blue Wood 8.5” Damascus Steel Pocket Knife manages to deliver anyway. A foreword on this knife: It’s not made of the best metal out there and the blades can feel a little too thin for comfort so chopping wood with it isn’t the best idea.
But overall? The knife is the best budget option at its price point. It’s able to serve all purposes for utility and cooking without a hitch. A unique feature of the knife is its double bladedness so you actually get two blades with different points in one knife.
PROS
- Brass hardware on handle.
- Polished blue wood handle.
- Fully-foldable blades.
- Two blade knife for maximum utility
CONS
- Thin blade may not be suited to cutting wood.
- Blade is made of a lower grade steel alloy compared to others on this list.
5Master Maison Authentic 7.5" Damascus Cleaver Knife With Full-Tang Handle
Small knives and medium knives do most jobs well enough, but the Master Maison Authentic 7.5″ Damascus Cleaver Knife With Full-Tang Handle is what you need for hacking into bone and making killer soups and stews.
This knife boasts a 7.5-inch blade and a beautiful flaring design that radiates out of the handle like sunlight. Speaking of the handle, the knife has a full-tang blade so you won’t have to worry about it breaking off while you’re cutting into marrow.
PROS
- Great edge-retention.
- Comes with a 1-year unlimited warranty.
- Part of a larger Damascus steel knife set you can collect.
- Comes with sharpening tools.
CONS
- On the pricey end, but worth it in terms of quality.
- A bit heavy, but that's expected of a cleaver.
6BÖKER Barlow Integral Micarta and Desert Ironwood Knife
Best Premium Option
A good knife is like a good watch. They’re useful on a practical level and they’re great for showing off your taste. There’s no shame in it — everyone likes stylish knives. The BÖKER Barlow Integral Micarta and Desert Ironwood Knife takes that demand for low-key luxury seriously.
This beautiful knife has the finest Damascus steel pattern on this list and a top-notch blade length and thickness that makes it perfect for general use. No ifs, no buts. The knife’s ironwood handle is surprisingly grippy without needing carved finger grips so it has a cohesive visual style.
PROS
- Riveted ironwood handle.
- Foldable 5.98-inch Damascus steel blade.
- Stylish and functional gentleman's knife.
- Intricate details on blade and handle.
CONS
- No finger grips, though it isn't slippery by any means.
- Has a shorter blade.
