1660DAM-Leek

enix

enix

Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
452
I purchased a DAM leek recently, within a couple of weeks, and when it arrived in the mail everything was perfect. I used it lightly over the next couple of days and decided it was time to give it a little wash. I put a few drops of dish soap on either side and carefully cleaned the blade with my fingers. To my amazement, some type of coating came off. Now the layers have almost no definition, the whole blade is a light color, not to far from say S30V.

I contacted Kershaw and through a few e-mails the only recourse available to me from Kershaw is to: 'oil the blade frequently. The original finish cannot be restored and because these were a limited run there is no way to replace the blade.'

So my question is: Has anyone else experienced this? Also, Any ideas on restoring that factory finish?

I have never heard that one was not supposed to wash DAM blades. I thought, maybe very ignorantly, that the layers of light and dark where 'in' the steel, such that it would not wash off.

(Rant and complaning over) I must say though, Kershaw warrenty service was very fast and friendly I just wish I never washed this knife. It's still a freaking awesome knife, just lost some of its panache.

TIA,
Evan
 
sorry about your troubles. Sometimes the oxidation can come off and you lose most if not all your definition. Someone should be along shortly to direct you to a link on re-etching damascus. It may never be perfect again but it can be etched.

If no one gets to it I will look for the thread. Hang tight
 
spiralarchitect: Thank you so much for the link, and thank you 2brothers for the tutorial. I had no idea a solution may be this *easy*. I will try it tonight and post before and after pics.

Thanks again.
 
You're welcome, I guess. :confused:
Wasn't even in this thread and got thanked. lol
Ah, the link. Brain isn't working this afternoon.

Would definitely like to see the pics of how it turns out.

mike
 
Well, looks like I wont be doing this tonight because I cannot seem to find the etching solution. Radioshack.com says in store only, and none of the stores I got a hold of today had it. There are a few more places to call tomorrow. I will be posting pics.
 
hi, so how was the blade restoration? Does it work fine?
And most important question, what kind of materials are used in 1660DAM?
 
That tutorial on the other site , the only thing I would add is you should nuetralize the acid after , I do not know why the tutor does not but I would not take any chances.

Have a glass of 1 to 5 baking soda/water ready after you etch it and stick her in there , then rinse off , dry and oil.
 
Have not had a chance to do the etching yet, will try to get to it tomorrow.
Pics will be posted.
 
The EXACT same thing happened to my 1660DAM. It is awful to watch your blade contrasting patterns disappear!

Careful with the Damascus IMHO.

Good luck with the etching but be careful not to leach too much of the carbon out because that is the point of no return.

I tried to restore my 1660DAM blade too. I had fair results but never as good as out of the box and all of a sudden I went too far. Zip nada...no contrast to be had. It was hard for me to control the process --- good luck.
 
Last edited:
Steama, your comments remind be to go slow and think before each step. I really appreciate it.

I plan on getting this started here real soon tonight, gonna read over the tutorial a few more times, and come in and reference it a lot I am sure.

I need to read and take pics, if no updates tonight then tomorrow for sure.

Thanks again all and wish me good luck. :)
 
Well, I finally got around to attempting this little project.
Thanks again to 2Brothers and spiralarchitect and everyone else for their input.:thumbup:

So without further ado,
Cell phone pic, fresh from the box:
leek.jpg


After the horrid washing:
100_1048-1.jpg

and with the new chive:
100_1053copy.jpg


Now after the etching process:
100_1054copy.jpg

and again with my new chive for comparison:
100_1058copy.jpg
 
I used some denatured alcohol to clean the blade with. The etching solution I got was a powder, from a small mom and pop type electrnics store. It had to be mixed with warm water. No Radio Shack in or around my area carried the stuff, I think because it contains anhydrous ferric chloride, I think, I really have no idea why. Also most the people I talked to had no idea what I saying and eventually I started just asking if they had SKU#xyz.

Anyhow, followed the tutorial from start to finish and everything went smoothly. :)
All is well that ends well.
 
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