All About Pocket Knives

I'm looking into buying a Damascus Blade Blank, from I the reading I've been doing, it looks like the best place to buy (In the USA) is from either from Alabama Damascus or from Two Finger Knife. (Links Below to both websites)

My question is, the color of the blade is so different between the too places, Alabama is always very very Dark Etch and Two Finger is much lighter in color. Is this a quality differance or just the Etching process they use. Anyone know which is better? Is there a better place to buy?


http://www.twofingerknife.net/TFK/HOME.html

http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/

I really don't know about the differences in the steels they use but I do know that etching is very subjective. Depending on the time allowed to etch you can get some widely varied results of color and contrast from the same steel billet. There is also the differences in photography and photo editing as well.

Wayne

I dont know anything about two finger knife but i have used a lot of damascus from alabama damascus for my blades. I get a pretty dark etch with theirs and have been very happy with the performance of their steel. A coworker bought a couple of blanks from them and they looked pretty good. They do put a clearcoat on them that helps keep the etch looking dark after use. However when you fit the scales and sand the tang down you will remove the clearcoat in those areas.

Thank everyone ordered from alabama damascus today.