Carrying Damascus?

[Glenn Pritchard]

I've been considering getting myself a really nice Damascus folder, just for daily carry. How does the steel hold up under use? Will it rust, or discolor in my pocket? Am I nuts to carry it? Currently toting a small BG-42 'Benza. Thanks for your comments!

 

[Rick]

I occasionally carry and lightly use (opening packages, cutting twine, that sort of stuff) a Devin Thomas stainless Damascus mini-SOCOM and it really holds a razor sharp edge which, thus far, has never needed a touch-up. I've had no problems at all with it other than that fact that the knife is too damn small. I've even used it in salt water to cut plastic tubing for a marine aquarium and didn't rinse it off until the next day (I forgot

). No discoloration or rust resulted. I say go for it. The "thrill" factor of carrying and using Damascus is worth the price.

 

[Knife Outlet]

I carry and use a damascus folder from time to time. It behaves just like carbon steel (it is, of course.) What I mean by that is that it performs with excellence, sharpens wickedly and holds an edge very well. It is subject to rust and corrosion like any carbon steel but not any more so. I wish more production knives were available with damascus blades. I'd own and use more of them. Great looking high performance blades!

------------------
Fred
Knife Outlet
www.knifeoutlet.com

 

[Coronach]

Okay...stupid question time: :O

When you use a blade it gets scuffs and scratches and stuff on it. How would one remove them on a damascus steel? Just polish up the blade same as any other knife? I assume that all damascus steels are uncoated? And I also assume that using a fine grit sandpaper would not alter the beautiful pattern on the blade, since that pattern is a part of the steel and not added on top?

Mike


------------------
Hey! Uncle Sam!

(_!_) Nyah nyah nyah!

Refund! You lose!

 

[Jim Smyth]

Coronach, you could sand it but when you do the black color on the softer metal will gradually dissappear and it will look like a duller spot until you re etch it again.

Etching is done with echtant (ferric chloride) which can be purchased at Radio Shack.

 

[Coronach]

Ah ha. This proves Mr. Garrison's contention from South Park: "Remember children, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people."

Seriously...is there a FAQ or a reference anywhere around on the care and feeding of damascus steel? I would LOVE to own a damascus blade _eventually_, but I am one of those people who refuses to drop money on something that sits on a shelf. I play with my toys. The blade would get used, and I'd need to know how to care for it.

Mike


------------------
Hey! Uncle Sam!

(_!_) Nyah nyah nyah!

Refund! You lose!

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I've been carrying an A.G. Russell Model 340 Lockback Damascus blade for about a year now and it has held up really well. I use it for opening mail and cutting fruit. It never fails to get somebody's attention and I enjoy telling them a little about it. It is actually a tougher core of stainless layered between two pieces of stainless/non-stainless high-carbon Damascus in a "random" pattern. It keeps a very good edge needing sharpening about once every two months with regular use. Beauty matched with utility...What more could you ask for.

Daniel Dorn

 

[Walt Welch]

Mr. Pritchard; I have several Chris Reeve knives, of the usual alloy blades, and several with the Devin Thomas 'Raindrop' pattern welded steel blade.

This is not true or 'wootz' Damascus, in which the layers run the length of the blade, but is formed from a number of twisted steel rods which have been welded together, and then the blade is cut from this assembly, crossways, revealing the cross section of the rods. It is truly beautiful. Drop dead beautiful.

How well does it stand up? Check on the 'other forum,' KFC, and look up the subject on the CR forum. They addressed this issue not too long ago. You trade some strength for the beauty. Keep your Tuf-Cloth handy, and always coat the blade after use. CR can refurbish the blade, but it is not as simple or as inexpensive to do as it is with a standard alloy blade.

Hope this helps. Walt

 

[Rick]

I think that CR uses the same Damascus that Microtech uses on the mini-SOCOM (see above) and several other models. The Devin Thomas Raindrop is stainless. After getting salt water on it and letting it sit for a while (stupid is as stupid does), I can attest that it really does seem to stay rust free even without the benefit of tuf cloth (at least as well as ATS-34 [which is sometimes marginal] unless I was lucky). No scratches are apparent so far.

 

[Glenn Pritchard]

Walt-

Thanks for the description. I think I'll give it a try.


Thanks to all for the insight!!

 

[Radioman]

For Christmas this year, I got my wife a beautiful Darrel Ralph damascus (L6 and O1) folder. She (like me) is a communications technician and she uses it daily. It takes and holds an amazing edge! I've only had to re-sharpen it once so far.

A. Dale McLean
<A HREF="http://www.nt.net/~admclean/Index.htm" TARGET="_blank">ADaM Sharps Cutlery - Canadian Knife Dealer</A>

 

[Coronach]

Hmmm. So using these knives in a reasonable manner does not destroy their beauty? Scuffs and scratches do not stand out on them?

And if you were to put a noticable scratch in the blade...how would you get it out?

Mike


------------------
Hey! Uncle Sam!

(_!_) Nyah nyah nyah!

Refund! You lose!

 

[Steve45]

coronach-
If It were my knife I would send it back to the maker . Most will re-etech their knives for free (some charge a little ) If you spend
a couple hundred on a custom damascus knife it's best to let the maker do any maintenance
on them.(just my opinon)
Steve45