Damascus knives are knives made from Damascus steel. It is the technique used to make the steel that determines them as "Damascus" rather than any other part of the knife design. Damascus knives are recognizable by the wavy, mottled pattern that runs across the blade.

Modern Damascus steel is made either by forging and welding different types of steel before twisting and manipulating the metal, or by flattening and bending a single type of steel to produce layers in the metal.

Both of these techniques produce the wavy, "organic" pattern typical of Damascus steel kitchen knives.The technique used to make modern Damascus steel is primarily aesthetic; however, the process of bending and folding has the advantage of evening out the natural impurities in the metal. A modern damascus steel will possess the same qualities and characteristics as the ancient damascus. Techniques such as acid etching can also be used to highlight the unique pattern created by this process.

Ancient Damascus steel was known for its strength and durability. It was produced in the Near East regions from a type of steel originating in India called wootz steel. Wootz steel is characterized by levels of carbon compounds called "carbides" that permeate the steel. Analysis of old Damascus blades shows that certain impurities added during the production process strengthened the steel, making it softer and less likely to break.