Any custom knife with a Damascus steel blade has an extra quality that dresses up the look of the cold, hard steel. The knife often gains much aesthetic value from this type of forging that is created by folding and layering raw materials.

The Damascus style can be visually translated into a technique that engravers can use on any metal surface without having to forge anything. This bracelet in copper is by Ashton Ludden, who created a similar look on a stainless steel ring. This engraved Damascus style can be used as a background treatment or as the main design as shown here. Whether you use it just in the background or as the main design, this technique provides a rich visual texture to the metal.

The possibilities for this technique are as endless as the patterns created by actual Damascus steel. Try your hand at the style on a small practice plate or key fob to get the feel of it. Experimenting with patterns that range from more organic and wood-like to repetitive geometric designs can help with creative thinking. Let us know what you discover by sending an email to featured@grstools.com and your work could be featured online.