266 Layer Ladder Pattern Damascus (1085 High Carbon + 15N20 Bright Steel) 9.5" OA, 4.5" Blade, True Full Tang, Thick Spine Premium Leather Sheath, Encapsulated Carry ??? Forged as a solid piece, no welds. True full tang. Beautiful Ladder pattern Damascus is a work of art. Hardwood handle with mosaic pins, top quality leather sheath for secure encapsulated carry. Please see photos for detail. Medium size knives like this are extremely versatile. While they might still be used for self defense, the more compact size makes them suitable for everyday tasks plus camping, fishing, hunting and whittling. Comments: Recommended! Well made, rugged - very good materials and craftsmanship. The curved handle is ergonomic and the cut-out for a forefinger gives greater control. I'm a collector and a weekend warrior, active in my local HEMA group and Renaissance Fair. I sell what I own and can recommend! See my Seller ratings and but with confidence. Plus I ship fast! Manufacturer's Description - Product Details: ? All our Damascus knives have at least 266 layers during the forging process, with many of them surpassing that mark by several layers. ? We use genuine brass in our bolsters, guards, and inlays. We do not use brass plated steel. ? Our Damascus knives and swords are available with a variety of tangs (i.e. full or encapsulated tangs). ? We currently use two combinations of steel in the forging process of our Damascus blades. Some blades will use a blending of 1074 high carbon steel and WS1 mild steel, while others use a combination of 1085 high carbon steel and 15N20 bright steel. ? All our Damascus blades are Rockwell tested between 52 to 58, or higher. This determines the durability of the blade and its ability to hold a fine edge. ? The Damascus knives, swords, and blanks are subject to an ?acid wash? that helps accentuate the contrast between the types of steel used in the forging of the blades. Because the tang will typically be covered by whatever handle material is used, that part of the blade is generally not subject to the acid treatment. However, the pattern of the contrasting steels that is characteristic of Damascus blades will still be visible when inspected closely. Some high performance modern steels may exceed the quality of Damascus, but none match it's beauty in the hands of skilled artisans. See the article Does Damascus Outperform Super Steels? Testing Different Combinations the results may be surprising unless you've already used knives like this. Also, The Story of Knife Steel: Innovators Behind Modern Damascus and Super Steels. Good stuff!