Case stag raindrop Damascus Barlow

texasflyfisher

texasflyfisher

Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
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I've contemplated a new pattern and ran across the 52009 DAM. I like the spear point better than the clip point and the damascus is so pretty. The only thing is, would be a good user? I don't believe in buying a knife just to collect one. I intend to use it.

So, how is the damascus steel compared to CV in edge retention, sharpening and staining?
 
The steel is a good one. It's 1075 and nickel. It won't hold an edge quite as long as the CV but for most applications you shouldn't notice much of a difference.

(For comparison's sake, many of Boker's carbon steel offerings are the equivalent of 1075.)

Should be pretty easy to sharpen and maintain but as it's carbon damascus you'll just have to give it a bit of maintenance.
 
Might as well have an image...

CA6056.jpg
 
Texasflyfisher, I just bought it's brother the Stag Damascus Trapper. I like Devin Thomas Damascus it gets scary sharp and makes a good knife. The knife I received from an online dealer was the worst Case knife I had ever bought. It's on it's way back to Case now for repair or replacement. I didn't send it back to Dealer because I didn't want someone else getting it.
 
Darrell, interesting that you mentioned that. I had ordered the "47" pattern stockman in the damascus a few months back since it wasn't currently available in CV. (I've since gotten a 70's Dots version.)

That knife was equally bad and was the first Case knife I'd actually returned to the dealer with a letter of explanation as to why the knife was totally unacceptable.

I've read of some other issues on this forum with the damascus knives and it's a shame considering the price point and nice looks of the featured knives.
 
Oh, wow. Thanks for the info guys. Now, I am sort of second guessing the decision. I checked and not many other Case barlow knives with a spearpoint main blade other than some really vintage ones that would cost about the same as the damascus one to acquire.

BTW, what were the problems y'all had?
 
Rubbing, blade play, poorly finished bevels and edges, and very poor mating of the springs and tangs are what comes to mind. Might have been more but that was surely enough.
 
Blues said:
Rubbing, blade play, poorly finished bevels and edges, and very poor mating of the springs and tangs are what comes to mind. Might have been more but that was surely enough.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, that's been the case (pun was intended) with a lot of their products of late. One other big problem with any of the Stag knives in the last couple of years is that the Stag was very questionable on well more than half of the knives I received (I usually ordered either 5 or 10 of each pattern). The Rainbow Damascus were the last stags I bought when I was dealing in new Case knives. Almost all of them had the worst looking stag I had ever laid eyes on. The picture that Elliott posted above is, by far, the best I've seen on one.
 
Perry, that image was borrowed from an internet vendor site so I have absolutely no idea if it was representative of their stock. Since I know you, I'm guessing (unfortunately) that it's not. I too have found that many of the stag scaled knives are actually less interesting/attractive (to my eyes) than the bone versions.
 
I like stag a lot so I am picky. Also, I'm not trying to slam Case, I still love the company. I didn't stop dealing their new knives because of quality either, there were other reasons. However, 1999 was the last year that I've seen nice stag coming from them, with the exception of the Bose collaborations. Aquiring stag was a problem a few years ago, it isn't a problem now. If I was looking to buy a new Case with stag , I would want to see the knife prior to purchase.
 
A while back I bought the Case raindrop damascus Saddlehorn pattern with amber bone scales. Mine was absolutely perfect. The steel is sharp and so far has held the edge well. The springs were just the right stiffness and it has nice double stops. Fit and finish were great. I did recently order a Peanut with stag handles and returned it because, as several have mentioned, the stag was really lame looking.
 
texasflyfisher said:
I've contemplated a new pattern and ran across the 52009 DAM. I like the spear point better than the clip point and the damascus is so pretty. The only thing is, would be a good user? I don't believe in buying a knife just to collect one. I intend to use it.

So, how is the damascus steel compared to CV in edge retention, sharpening and staining?
Click to expand...
No, that knife's just for looking at. I don't think you should buy it. Just send me the information where I can buy it and I will put it under glass and take very good care of it. :)
 
I am no longer interested in the 52009 DAM. I decided to look around for something else with a spear point main blade and pen blade and just ran across a 1965-69 Case 6214 with nicely jigged red bone handles in what looked like mint condition so I bought it. I'll post up photos when I get it.

p.s. It's gonna be strange carrying a knife that is as old as I am (I was born in 1966).
 
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Congrats. I think you made a fine choice.
 
Great choice! I was going to suggest checking ebay or a local gun show for that pattern. You can usually find a good old barlow user for a fair price at either place. Looking forward to the pics.
 
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