DropLockBob: Not Damasteel but more-traditional Damascus. I'm sure the damasteel would be fine as well. Damascus steel can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Lots of traditional knifemakers use it now, all over the world. For years, Connecticut Shotgun sold some pretty Damascus knives that were actually fairly inexpensive. I suspect that they were imported from a 3rd world maker somewhere, but no-matter as they work just fine. They still seem to have a few as I just bought some for Christmas gifts.