carbon damascus staining

C

chaumayne

Joined
Nov 12, 2013
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I have a kershaw shallot with a damascus blade on it but I've never used it to cut anything because I'm afraid it will get ruined.
I've heard around that high carbon blades stain easily and anything organic will stain it, and anything moist will cause it to rust.

Is there any way to put a lasting protective coating on it that will allow me to cut food or other materials that might cause the blade to stain?
Has anyone had experience with a stained damascus blade? What will it look like if I used it to cut something like a lime?

I bought this knife thinking it was the perfect knife for me, only to find out that it can be ruined by regular usage.
If this knife can't even be used to cut food or be washed regularly, then it's really only good for collecting, right?

If anyone has pictures of what the blade will look like after it has been stained or knows of a way for me to make the blade more durable I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for your help.
 
Wipe it off after you cut acidic foods and dry it off when it gets wet and you should be ok.
 
Surface rust on the blade isn't going to ruin the knife, especially if you use it regularly
 
Ther really is nothing that will keep the blade from getting a patina, which is much more desireable than rust. What will it look like? It will be blackened. It won't get ruined with use, that is a bit of an overreaction really. The knife is made from carbon steel, as are many knives over the last 100+ years and they continue to be made. The knife is a production knife, not a custom one of a kind, so you can use it or throw it in a glass case. it's made to cut, make no mistake. The only way you are going to preserve the blade is to oil it or wax it heavily, and put it in a hyperbaric chamber.
 
First off welcome. Secondly it will not ruin the knife in any way shape or form. What you describe is common for any high carbon damascus blade. It will not ruin anything its only aesthetic, and it will still cut the same. Clean it off after you use it and maybe rinse it off with clean water after cutting something acidic should take care of your concerns. If its of great importance to you to have it looking like it did right out of the package you could re-etch it. Pick up a bottle of solution from radio shack for $10 and you can make it look new whenever the mood strikes you.
 
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