Texture is the look and feel of a
surface. Tactile texture can be felt, visual texture creates the illusion
of texture on a smooth surface.
How a knife feels, aside from its
shape, weight or balance is determined by the texture of the materials
used. This can either be a natural surface as found on various horns, or
made: polished, jigged, engraved, chequered, etched, chiselled, punched-
each creates a different look and feel on a knife.
Blade finishes are all about
texture - a 600, 800 or 1500 grit satin or mirror finish may be used to
create four totally different knives from the same design and materials.
Damascus is inherently attractive
because of its texture. Depending on the composition of the steel and
etching techniques used, the texture of Damascus can range from the purely
visual to a very tactile surface.
By selective use of texture, one
can create contrasts. Impala and gemsbok (Oryx) horns are heavily ridged
and very black, which contrasts magnificently with a mirror finished blade
or bolster. You can also use Damascus of different, contrasting patterns
for bolster and blade.
