Anyone else dislike damascus?

[Bugout Bill]

The only damascus I really find appealing is Japanese style damascus. I can do without the rest.

 

[Reignman]

Not sure where to put this.

Anyway, my wife and I were having a little debate on damascus steel. Naturally I won ( ), but it's still bugging me.

The argument wasn't about how well it works as a knife steel, I think it's clear that it works just fine with modern practices being used in its manufacture, but rather, its looks in comparison to carbon (homogeneous) steel.

Damascus is a well loved steel by many knife collectors, but it's just not for me. Anyone else feel that way?

Personally, I don't like it either in the sense of...well, I see it more on cheap knives than any of quality... granted, it's starting to become a staple in most manufacturers offerings... I still hold my initial impression which was cheap chinese fixed blades.

 

[jakemex]

Dislike the price.

 

[humblerodent]

A little history. Damascus was named in Syria when a patron wanted to ask local blacksmiths to meld two kinds of steel and fold them into layers.
But the patron was to nervous to ask. Finally the smithies said, Damn, Just ask us." "Damn just ask us" was eventually shortened to "Damn, ask us" and then Damascus. And now you know where the word came from.

I'm assuming you are joking, but you got me curious:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus#Etymology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel#Etymology

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hello!

I am always torn when it comes to damascus - I really enjoy beautifully made and mostly symetrical (side by side) damascus patterns. On the other hand, random damascus and low layer patterns never really did it for me.

There are of course exceptions to this generalization, whenever the whole package comes together beautifully. The keyhole integral Joe posted is such a knife. I would have preferred Monosteel, but the use of damascus does not harm the overall appearance to me.

My personal opinion is, that often knife brands/makers tend to think that the use of damascus will help make an otherwise mediocre looking/designed knife become something special. In the end these typically look forced and unnatural to me.

Regards,
Alex

 

[mjolnir74]

I like the look of high quality damascus like used on custom folders and Sebenza's. My dad has a Case trapper from the late 80's. It is well worn, but still looks good.

 

[macknife12]

Personally, not keen. Will never buy.
Cheers

 

[JParanee]

Hello!

I am always torn when it comes to damascus - I really enjoy beautifully made and mostly symetrical (side by side) damascus patterns. On the other hand, random damascus and low layer patterns never really did it for me.

There are of course exceptions to this generalization, whenever the whole package comes together beautifully. The keyhole integral Joe posted is such a knife. I would have preferred Monosteel, but the use of damascus does not harm the overall appearance to me.

My personal opinion is, that often knife brands/makers tend to think that the use of damascus will help make an otherwise mediocre looking/designed knife become something special. In the end these typically look forced and unnatural to me.

Regards,
Alex

Good post

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Yea your right it sucks

But that's just it. While I respect those knives and their makers, I would never use any of them. At all. Ever.

I like Nick Wheelers solution, making his high art patterns in user materials. That's just smart.

Those Mcustas are pretty darn nice Greg.

 

[AddictedToGear]

If your not a collector and your more of a user then Damascus is not always favored because it looks to good to screw up.

 

[LX_Emergency]

I get the sentiment that's being shared about people not wanting to use damascus.

However the silly thing is that unless you're doing stuff with a knife that will break any knife you could never really hurt damascus.
Even if the pattern fades a bit it will pop right nice again with a quick re etch.

The whole ''Damascus will be ruined if you use it'' isn't based on reality or experience. But seems to be solely based on the idea that if something looks nice or is expensive it may be fragile and treated like it's made out of glass.

 

[JParanee]

I get the sentiment that's being shared about people not wanting to use damascus.

However the silly thing is that unless you're doing stuff with a knife that will break any knife you could never really hurt damascus.
Even if the pattern fades a bit it will pop right nice again with a quick re etch.

The whole ''Damascus will be ruined if you use it'' isn't based on reality or experience. But seems to be solely based on the idea that if something looks nice or is expensive it may be fragile and treated like it's made out of glass.

Correct

Damascus makes great users

 

[james terrio]

Cheap imported "dumb-ass-kiss" isn't worth its weight in scrap metal (which is usually exactly what it's made of). A person would be better off with cheap no-name stainless, if they actually intend to use the knife.

Modern, properly-made damascus ranks among the finest steels ever produced, from a performance standpoint. Whether or not one likes the look or is prepared to pay for the very high level of skill and time required to make it, is simply a personal choice.

Personally, I'm a "user" maker, not a "collector" maker (not to say that MS-level knives can't be used, quite the contrary!), so I see no need to work with it and add tremendous expense to my knives.

 

[phillipsted]

Dislike the price.

You could aways look at what I call "wallpaper damascus" - which is printed in repeating patterns across the blade and bevel.

TedP

 

[budazz]

Im the opposite of most i like the looks i never "used" one or owned one but i think they are nice looking

 

[SCWillson]

Correct

Damascus makes great users

Well, I'm going to find out for myself fairly soon because I just ordered my first custom knife, a fixed blade damascus wharnecliff from Alan Davis, and it's intended as an EDC user not a safe queen.

 

[Kohai999]

I will take damascus in carbon or stainless steel against ANY carbon steel knives at this point.

My locale is close enough to the ocean in SoCal to make a difference. I LOVE a good carbon steel knife, but hate patina/rust/"character" on knives...like them to look "good" regardless of usage.

Fogg, Foster and Fuegen blades in straight carbon have developed pitting and powder rust even with a healthy dose of TuffGlide and stored in a Bill's Custom case. For these blades, careful monitoring and gun paper has been required.

At the other end of the spectrum, even when carbon damascus rusts, a bit of tlc with Flitz removes all but the most onerous of damage....damascus actually looks better with a bit of use...plain carbon steel does indeed look not wonderful with use.

Bailey Bradshaw B-14 Carbon Steel Ladder pattern damascus

Russ Andrews Hawthorne PC Carry Carbon Steel Ladder pattern damascus

Harvey Dean El Diablo West Texas Wind pattern Carbon Steel damascus

Lawd have mercy!!!Kevin Cashen Bowie, THREE BAR COMPOSITE carbon damascus....GREAT bowie!

Damascus MAY outcut plain carbon steel due to micro serrations....No maker has been able to definitely say one way or the other...but it certainly is not inferior.

When people start talking poopy about damascus I question a) their taste in general and b)their knowledge about knives in general. If you are looking at crap damascus it is easy to have a negative (and deservedly so) opinion of it.

And the list(and dance) goes on.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Surfingringo]

I think some of the better damascus blades are absolutely gorgeous. I can appreciate the artistry behind them, but I'd rather appreciate them in a museum or in someone else's knife rather than my own. In other words, I think some of them are exceedingly beautiful... I just don't want one.