Are Damascus blades practical for user knives?

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paltak

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Are Damascus blades practical for a user knife and can withstand normal cutting, e.g., boxes, ropes, camping and fishing stuff.

Or, are they more collector's pieces? I'm ordering a custom Large Sebenza that will be used for daily cutting needs and won't be babied at all. While the Damascus finish looks awesome, I'm not sure how practical/durable compared to the stonewashed blades.

Thanks in advance!
 
Damascus is only as good as the steel it's made out of so as long as its a good steel yes damascus is just as strong......(and sexy!)
 
I would choose plain steel ever Damascus any day of the week especially for a user knife. Damascus looks great but that is about all it has going for it.
 
MT Damascus said:
Please educate yourself with a search on Bladeforums, or in the Custom and Handmade forum.

Kris
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you must have tensile strength in mind. Damascus used to be superior in that department but with modern steels around it is no longer true.
 
No, not what I had in mind, Talk to a M.S., or do a search and learn something


search damascus in Custom and Handmade forum, seriously, all your answers are in there.
 
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MT Damascus said:
No, not what I had in mind, Talk to a M.S., or do a search and learn something


search damascus in Custom and Handmade forum, seriously, all your answers are in there.
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do not hold out.. just tell us what advantages you believe it has?..'cause I cannot find any.
 
I've been using a Case peanut with Thomas damascus blades for the past two years. It's been my constant everyday pocket knife, so it has been used a great deal. We have a garden out back, so it's seen a lot of jute twine cutting for the tomato and string bean plants, cut lots of boxes the UPS truck has dropped off, broken down the boxes for the recycle bin, cleaned lots of pan fish for dinner, (since I'm retired I do more fighing than ever before) and lots of miscellaneous cutting. So far, it's held up as well as a lot of other steels, better than a few.

It's weird stuff. Even when it looses it's razor edge, it still cuts twine and rope just fine, does well on meats and fiberous stuff. I find it a tiny bit more difficult to sharpen, like the burr is tougher to get off, but when it does get there, it's scary sharp and stays that way for a while of cutting. Even off a fine stone, the edge feels "grabbier" than another type of blade. Like it can't wait to cut ya. Weird. But I think I like it. I don't know what steels Devon Thomas uses in his damascus, but the Case I have seems to work very, very well. I would not have stuck with it for two years if it was not working well.

Carl.
 
MT Damascus said:
I am done, can't fix stupid. Good day gentlemen.



Kris
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Your screen name is MT Damascus, why can't you give a simple explanation of the benefits of damascus? I know the comment was directed to ridnovir, but I'm not stupid or a metallurgist or anything close to that and would like just a simple answer. While I know all the answers to the universe can be found on google, I'm here reading this thread right now. If it's worth anything, and is not too much trouble, I would really like to know what your take on it is (I don't know you, but I assume you are very knowledgeable on damascus steel).

My additional questions:
-Does the damascus steel finish scratch easily? I understand it depends a lot on the type of steels used, so let's take for example the damascus used by Kershaw on their Onion knives, and maybe the damascus used by Chris Reeves.
-How long do both of these hold their edge, and how hard are they to sharpen?
 
Kris,

No need for name calling..Just trying to get your side of the story..Lets be civil..
You know my view.. you obviously disagree YMMV and do not wish to enlighten the rest of us.

Regards,
 
Damascus is pretty, but I would much rather have some s35vn to do real work...especially at the price CRK charges for damascus.
I would also like to hear some opinions as to why damascus may compete with our current "super steels".
 
simioh said:
My additional questions:
-Does the damascus steel finish scratch easily? I understand it depends a lot on the type of steels used, so let's take for example the damascus used by Kershaw on their Onion knives, and maybe the damascus used by Chris Reeves.
-How long do both of these hold their edge, and how hard are they to sharpen?
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Not a Google search, a Bladeforms search, this place is a wealth of info.
It "finish" you say is a acid etch, it shows the pattern and provides a protective patina, Kershaw uses Alabama damascus, good stuff, Chris uses Devin Thomas, has used many others in the past, it is great and stainless. They hold a fine edge, but because of the alternating steels at the edge, it is more agressive and sawtooth like. Hard to sharpen?, depends what steel the damascus is comprised of. Again, Bladeforums has some of the finest knifemakers and forgers that are members, use that to your advantage.
 
High-quality modern damascus makes a great blade. Equal to a mono-steel blade of similar chemistry. Not magically better.

Cheap "damascus" made from who-knows-what is worthless. I would hazard a guess that in a custom Sebenza, you're probably NOT getting the cheap stuff. Go for it.

ETA: if CRK is indeed using Devon Thomas' damascus, I wouldn't hesitate at all. He's very highly respected.
 
Check out cutting competitions, like the one at the Arkansas Show.
HuntBomb said:
Damascus is pretty, but I would much rather have some s35vn to do real work...especially at the price CRK charges for damascus.
I would also like to hear some opinions as to why damascus may compete with our current "super steels".
Click to expand...
 
9blades said:
Damascus is only as good as the steel it's made out of so as long as its a good steel yes damascus is just as strong......(and sexy!)
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I think that's about the best answer :)

Damascus can have different materials for the core cutting edge, so that will determine the edge-retention properties. I think ridnovir has made a fair point, in that, modern steels are about as good as it gets. We do not need any benefits that would come with Damascus these days. My take on it is this, and I am NOT a steel nor Damascus expert... If you want a real tough user, go with a modern steel. If you don't need that toughness, a good Damascus can probably do what you want. I spell out toughness specifically because the edge properties can be anything, dependent upon the materials and the methods used (HT). A ZDP-189 core Damascus can have amazing edge retention. A Damascus could also be made with badly heat treated 1050 and be crap for a cutting edge.

I am carrying one of my daily carries now... A Damascus steel Caly3 sprint. It only sees light cutting duties and it performs admirably. The edge is VG-10 and it does everything I need. As far as aesthetics, I do think it discolors very easily depending on what you cut. I have only really cut open some boxes and I have a little discoloration on the tip. However, I have designated this as one of my daily users, so I expect some wear and tear. If you want it to always look pretty, Damascus probably isn't the best bet.

Just my thoughts on the matter ;)
 
That is San Mai, not true damascus, in your Caly . I own and use damascus from: Rob Thomas, Devin Thomas, Mike Norris, Damasteel, 5 different mastersmiths, Goran Enochson, Sean O'Hare, Mike Craddock, Bernie Reitveld, Alabama damascus, Chad Nichols, Andreas Henrichs



Kris
 
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