[TheForge] need help on a project

[Andrew Vida]

On 7/31/2011 11:08 AM, fudgumz at gmail.com wrote:
> I've been contracted to make a Ka-Bar knife. My question is what steel should i use? I can order whatever i need. Also, does anyone know where i can get some quality damascus? And can anyone tell me whether a hamon would show on damascus?
> Matt Gallagher.

Original KaBars were, IIRC, simple tool steel (1095?)

The answer is that it depends on what is wanted in terms of a finished 
product.  If you want something authentic, you stick with plain steel. 
If stain resistance is important there are some CPM steels I hear to be 
excellent without sacrificing other important qualities such as edge 
holding and toughness.

Perhaps a little more information is in order.