Buyer guides

Straight answers from Blade Scout, with the products that fit.

• Damascus Steel Knives Explained: Real Pattern-Welded vs Etched
  What Damascus steel actually is, how to tell pattern-welded layers from a surface etch, what 416-layer means, and which Damascus knives and blanks are worth it.
• Best Folding Knives Under $100: What You Actually Get at Each Price
  A realistic look at folding knives under $100: budget 8Cr13MoV assisted openers, D2 linerlocks in the $30s, slide locks near $60, and Damascus folders at $100.
• Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Buyer's Guide
  How to choose a fixed blade hunting knife: blade length, drop point vs clip point vs gut hook, skinners and capers, full tang, sheaths, and what to spend.
• Knife Steel Guide: 8Cr13MoV, 420, D2, MagnaCut, S90V and Damascus
  A plain-English knife steel guide to the steels on real listings: 8Cr13MoV, 420 and 440C stainless, D2 tool steel, CPM MagnaCut, S90V and Damascus explained.
• Knife Sharpener Guide: Whetstone vs Pull-Through vs Electric vs Rod
  Which knife sharpener to buy: Arkansas whetstones and oil, diamond stones for hard steel, pull-through and pocket sharpeners, electric systems, and honing rods.