Damascus Steel Knife Appraisal

Custom-Made Damascus Steel Karambit Knife with Leather Sheath

This item is a custom-made karambit-style knife, crafted from what appears to be Damascus steel, characterized by its distinctive wavy patterns on the blade. The overall length of the knife, as indicated by the measuring tape, is approximately 8.5 inches. The blade itself is curved, typical of a karambit, and features a prominent serrated edge along the spine, followed by a series of cut-out finger grooves on the top edge of the blade, transitioning into the handle. The blade exhibits a visible hammered or textured finish, adding to its artisanal appearance. The handle is constructed with two contrasting wood or micarta scales, secured to the full tang with three visible silver-toned pins. The handle scales have a lighter, natural wood tone on the inner section, bordered by a darker blue-gray material, creating a two-tone effect. The ergonomic shape of the handle includes finger grooves for a secure grip. At the pommel end of the handle, there is a large, integrated finger ring, a characteristic feature of karambit knives, which appears to be made from the same steel as the tang. The knife comes with a custom-fitted, dark brown leather sheath. The sheath is hand-stitched with lighter brown thread along its edges, and features a flap with a metal snap closure designed to secure the knife's handle. The leather shows some slight creasing and marks consistent with handling and light use. No specific maker's marks or signatures are discernible on the knife or sheath. Given the Damascus steel and custom appearance, it likely dates from the late 20th to early 21st century, possibly a handcrafted piece.