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Bigcat vs a typical factory knife

Most hunting knives at this money are cut from one bar of stainless, finished by machine and packed with a nylon pouch. Yours is forged from two steels, finished by hand and carried in leather that was stitched for it. Here is the difference, line by line.

Beast Hunter Damascus Hunting Knife with its leather sheath

Bigcat

Real Damascus, 288 layers

The pattern runs through the steel

Handcrafted in Wazirabad

Craftsmen with generations behind them

Leather sheath included

Hand-stitched, carried on your belt

12-month warranty

Free US shipping and 30-day returns

A plain mass-produced stainless hunting knife with a moulded plastic handle

A typical factory knife

A printed pattern

Laser-etched onto plain steel

Made on a factory line

Stamped out by the thousand

Nylon sheath, or none

Often sold separately

Warranty in the small print

Returns at your cost

From bar stock to your belt

Every Bigcat is made by hand, one step at a time. Six of them, and the reason no two blades leave the shop the same.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

A glowing billet of layered steel under a hammer on the anvil

Two steels, 288 layers

15N20 and 1080 forge-welded and folded into one bar. The layers are the pattern, not a print on the surface.

A red hot blade going into the quench oil

Hardened in oil

Brought up to heat and quenched, the step that puts the hardness into the steel.

Sparks coming off a blade held against the grinding wheel

Ground blade by blade

The bevel, the belly and the point shaped on the wheel, one knife at a time.

A Damascus blade in the acid bath, the pattern coming up

Etched to wake the pattern

An acid bath darkens the 1080 and leaves the 15N20 bright, so the layers step forward.

Hands stitching a leather sheath on the bench

A sheath cut for this blade

Leather wet-formed around the knife and stitched by hand, with a snap strap to hold it.

A cloth wiping a coat of oil down a finished blade

Oiled, boxed, ready

It ships under a coat of oil, so it reaches you bright and ready for the first day out.

To scale

Size and weight

Overall

10in25.4cm

25.4 cm10 in

Blade

5in12.7cm

12.7 cm5 in

Handle

5in12.7cm

12.7 cm5 in

Weight

6.2oz175g

175 g6.2 oz

Overall 10 in25.4 cm
Handle 5 in12.7 cm
Blade 5 in12.7 cm
Blade and handle drawn to scale. All measurements are approximate.
A hand drawing the knife from its leather sheath on a belt, with the Bigcat logo Quote card with icons for tactical, hunting and fishing, outdoors, survival, everyday carry and multi-purpose use Four steps in making a Damascus blade: forged, quenched, sharpened and revealed Wiping the blade with a cloth, beside four care steps: arrives oiled, never store it wet, dry it after use, a thin coat of oil The knife at work in four outdoor scenes Close-up of a Damascus steel pattern behind a quote about Damascus tradition Carving a stick with the knife, under the words Every occasion. One knife. A gift that speaks for itself
Deer Hunter Damascus Knife with its leather sheath

A tough tool for tough people.

Bigcat Knives

OUR STORY

Built for the wild ones who won't settle

Bigcat is made for the people who ask the most of their gear: hunters out before first light, campers who keep going where the trail ends, and collectors who can tell real Damascus from a print at a glance.

Every knife is designed in the USA and handcrafted by skilled craftsmen in Wazirabad, Pakistan, a city known for its knife makers for centuries. The one you carry is made to be used in the field and kept for good.

  1. Designed in the USA

    Each Bigcat is designed here, for hunting, camping and everyday work outdoors.

  2. Handcrafted in Wazirabad

    Skilled craftsmen with generations of experience make every knife by hand, not on a factory line.

  3. Real Damascus steel

    288 layers of 15N20 and 1080, forge-welded and folded, so the pattern runs through the steel instead of sitting on top.

  4. Made to be collected

    No two blades share a pattern. Carry yours into the field, or give it a place in your collection.

THE KNIFE

What makes a Bigcat different?

Handcrafted, not factory made

Made by hand by skilled craftsmen, so every knife has its own character.

Real 288-layer Damascus

15N20 and 1080 steel, with a pattern you can see on the spine and in the edge.

Walnut, Micarta or black wood

Handles in real wood or Micarta, fitted with a steel guard or bolster.

A leather sheath with every knife

It wears on your belt, with a snap strap that holds the knife in place.

THE BIGCAT PROMISE

The numbers behind our promise

4.7★

Average rating

Across 877 reviews of our knives.

288

Layers in every Damascus blade

15N20 and 1080 steel, forge-welded and folded.

85,000+

Knives sold

Across Amazon, Walmart and our own store since 2021.

12 months

Warranty

Against defects in workmanship and materials.

30 days

Returns

On unused knives in their original packaging. US shipping is free.

USA

Designed in the USA

Handcrafted by skilled craftsmen in Wazirabad, Pakistan.

FAQ

What is the Beast Hunter best at?

What is the rib down the middle of the blade?

How is it different from the Deer Hunter?

Is it full tang?

What comes in the box?

How do I look after it?

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews
4.8 Based on 24 Reviews
5 ★
83% 
20
4 ★
13% 
3
3 ★
4% 
1
2 ★
0% 
0
1 ★
0% 
0
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Filter Reviews:
AQ
12/06/2023
Avery Q.

This is a superb knife

This proved to be a lovely knife. Presented it as a gift, and it was well-received. The sheath displayed beauty, and the blade demonstrated strength. Overall, a great knife.

MB
01/10/2023
Marty B.

Outstanding craftsmanship

Nothing to say

BT
10/31/2022
Bonnie T.

Gorgeous knife

Artistically Crafted with an Unbelievable Pattern in the Steel. Extremely Happy with my Purchase, Will Definitely Buy from Bigcat Knives Again.

CZ
09/09/2022
Caleb Z.

The craftsmanship is wow!

Reasonably priced knife with superb craftsmanship and artistic charm.

ZU
07/14/2022
Zoe U.

Bigcat exceptional quality

Purchased as a gift for my husband, it offers excellent quality for the price. The meticulously crafted sheath is a highlight, and the fact that it's made in the USA is the best part!