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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.

Patriot 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

14in35.6cm

35.6 cm14 in

Blade

9in22.9cm

22.9 cm9 in

Handle

5in12.7cm

12.7 cm5 in

Weight

12.3oz350g

350 g12.3 oz

Overall 14 in35.6 cm
Handle 5 in12.7 cm
Blade 9 in22.9 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

Who is a 14 inch knife for?

What does full tang mean here?

What is the notch at the base of the edge?

Can I split wood with it?

What is the sheath like?

How heavy is it really?

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews
4.6 Based on 116 Reviews
5 ★
72% 
84
4 ★
18% 
21
3 ★
9% 
11
2 ★
0% 
0
1 ★
0% 
0
Write a Review

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Filter Reviews:
JK
03/01/2023
Jeremiah K.

A good knife, offering good value for money

The construction is wonderful. The blade is as sharp as my kitchen knives. It's on the thin side, making it a very fast-handling knife. The balance is pretty decent. The pattern is beautiful. The handle is solid with no gaps, wiggle, or rattle. The guard is well-built. The scabbard is so-so. The stitching could be tighter, and it could fit the blade more snugly. Also, the scabbard could use an eyelet at the bottom to place a retention cord. The two biggest issues I have with the knife are that the handle is slightly small for my hand, and it could be a bit thicker, maybe 1/4". I will likely paracord wrap the handle to solve this problem. The second thing may not actually be a problem, but I bought this to be a camp knife; it is more of a hunting knife. The blade is very light and not thick enough to effectively cut small firewood. All in all, for the price, it is a good buy, and I would recommend it to a friend after they try it on for size.

GX
02/28/2023
Grace X.

Attention needed in the quality control department

A truly gorgeous knife with outstanding fit and finish. The handle is comfortable, the sheath is of good quality, and for the price, it's a great buy. The initial rough edge was easily remedied with 15 minutes on a stone. A beautiful and functional Bowie knife.

WB
02/01/2023
William B.

Absolutely Astounding!

After watching the show "Forged In Fire," my interest in knives and edged weapons increased. I've purchased many knives from different shops, and this one is hands down the best dollar-for-dollar purchase I've made. It boasts a beautiful raindrop Damascus pattern, a lovely wooden handle, great weight and balance, impressive quality, fit, and finish. It's hair-splitting sharp! The only thing left to do is break it in half and check the grain structure, but that's NOT going to happen. It's too beautiful for that!

GN
01/28/2023
Grayson N.

A stunningly beautiful knife

I came across this knife with excellent reviews, and to my surprise, I received an incredibly beautiful and well-crafted blade. My purchase has left me absolutely delighted, and I'm eagerly anticipating their return to stock so I can grab two more as gifts.

AR
01/27/2023
Addison R.

Excellent knife, with a perfect balance

100% recommended