By Jon VanZile
SZCO Supplies Inc. is proud of its Damascus line of knives, and with good reason. These high quality knives are made from patterned, hardened and welded Damascus steel that has been hammered and folded more than 200 times, resulting in a beautiful blade that holds a sharp edge with proper care.
The quality construction continues to the knife handles, which Monte Combs, general manager at SZCO, says are crafted from a wide variety of natural products, including bone, horn and many quality woods. Finally, they are sheathed in genuine leather sheaths. “These are really great knives,” Combs says. “We have over 4,000 different items as a company, including knives, swords, instruments, and others, and the Damascus knives are among our most distinctive.”
Damascus steel is best known as pattern-welded steel. It is made from an age-old process of hammer-welding and folding steel and iron to create a distinctive wavy pattern in the blade. The original Damascus process was used throughout the Middle East in antiquity to produce swords.
SZCO Damascus steel knives are excellent performers at the retail level, Combs says. The mark-up on most knives is at least 200 percent. There is a $100 minimum wholesale order. SZCO’s complete product line can be seen on the company’s website.
SZCO Supplies Inc.
Phone: (410) 368-8300
Website: www.szco.com