Case damascus question

[Planterz]

I was planning on getting a Case medium congress in chestnut bone and CV steel, but I just came across their congress in burnt amber bone and raindrop damascus (CA-5706). I tried searching, but didn't really find the answers to my questions (nothing definite anyway).

1. Who makes the damascus on this knife? I read somewhere that Case was using Devin Thomas damascus, but I couldn't find anything that specified that it was used on this particular knife.

2. Is it a stainless damascus or carbon steel?

3. If it's a carbon damascus, how does it compare in terms of edge retention with CV steel?

4. If it's carbon, does the acid etch prevent rust like a patina does? Or does the fact that there's a rough surface make it a rust magnet?

I plan on using this congress as a "working knife", so if the damascus steel has better performance than the CV steel it might just be worth paying twice the cost, since even at $120, it's not a bank breaker.

Thanks.

 

[glocktenman]

I like the look of the Case raindrop damascus but don't know anything about the steel. I'm sure one of the Case fans will be along shortly with some direction.

 

[dsvirsky]

Case uses damascus from Devin Thomas. I know they've used 1075 & nickel and I think they've also used stainless damascus; I don't know which was used for the burnt amber bone series. However, neither of the aforementioned is going to outperform CV, so if you're buying the damascus, buy it for its looks, not for its edgeholding.

 

[revmic]

I owned a Case "Raindrop damascus" peanut. A beautiful knife...BUT... the steel heat treat in mine made for a blade, the point of which, would easily bend and take a set under very unextreme light usage. I agree, buy it for its looks but go with CV as a user.

 

[crossada]

I was planning on getting a Case medium congress in chestnut bone and CV steel, but I just came across their congress in burnt amber bone and raindrop damascus (CA-5706). I tried searching, but didn't really find the answers to my questions (nothing definite anyway).

1. Who makes the damascus on this knife? I read somewhere that Case was using Devin Thomas damascus, but I couldn't find anything that specified that it was used on this particular knife.

This probably should be read to clarify on question 1 in my opinion.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711375&highlight=devin

 

[rprocter]

Thanks. That link is a MUST read.
roland

 

[Blues]

This probably should be read to clarify on question 1 in my opinion.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711375&highlight=devin

Thanks. That link is a MUST read.
roland

Let's please leave that particular discussion in the other thread and not bring it to this forum. Thank you.

 

[rprocter]

Blues no controversy wanted, merely info on whose Damascus you might be getting, which is what the O.P. is asking about. (Case Damascus in general)
roland

 

[Blues]

Blues no controversy wanted, merely info on whose Damascus you might be getting, which is what the O.P. is asking about. (Case Damascus in general)
roland

Yes, Roland, I'm aware of it. However, I'm merely pointing out that we are not going to rehash that particular business/family issue from the other thread over here.

Back in April, 2008 I received this email response from Rob Thomas in regard to my own inquiry about the damascus:

Elliott, yes the raindrop that we have provided for Case the last 3 years is a carbon steel. It is 1075/nickel mix. 1075 is a spring steel. The nickel content is only to add color to the blade and is about 5% of the total weight. Case has decided to use this because it is easy to blank and the cost is reasonable. Devin and I will be upgrading our carbon steel for 2009 to 19C5va. It is a carbon steel made specifically for cutlery, it has vanadium in it which will be a better blade steel. Thanks, Rob Thomas

I do not have any information regarding any damascus subsequent to that inquiry or whether the composition was ever changed.

 

[Planterz]

This probably should be read to clarify on question 1 in my opinion.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711375&highlight=devin

Actually that answers my other questions as well. I was scratching my head at how it could Devin Thomas damascus, yet be so soft that it bends under light use. I guess I'll be going with the congress in CV. I like the chestnut bone better anyway.

I'm closing this thread to preemt any controversy. My questions have been answered so there's nothing really more to discuss.

Thanks to all.