CRK Annual Limited Editions

[d.r.h.]

Okay, let me chime in on the ice-man's Damascus annual, since I am kind of familiar with it. It's a stainless DT raindrop and, while nothing in the documentation would indicate this, I 99.999% certain that it is one of the coated stainless blades. It has a very nice contrast and beautiful chatoyancy. While the folks in Bosie would have the definitive answer, for a number of years after the introduction of the stainless Damascus blades in their knives, CRK continued to coat the Damascus (something that they had done at one point with the HC Damascus). Here is a pic of my 2006 BP Mnandi with raindrop blade which has the same shine, contrast, and chatoyancy as ice_man's annual:

You can definitely see a difference in the contrast and shine compared with today's stainless Damascus. The chatoyancy, however, is something that can't be captured very well in a pic ... you need to hold the blade in your hand and rotate it in the light to really appreciate.

I think CRK continued to coat all (or many of) the stainless Damascus blades until around 2009 or so. Most likely stopped doing this because the coated blades would mar/mark somewhat easily if used for serious cutting work or just for cost reasons (to coat initially and then redo if returned for spa treatment). Regardless, you can definitely notice a difference between coated and non-coated blades.

 

[ice_man]

Okay, let me chime in on the ice-man's Damascus annual, since I am kind of familiar with it. It's a stainless DT raindrop and, while nothing in the documentation would indicate this, I 99.999% certain that it is one of the coated stainless blades. It has a very nice contrast and beautiful chatoyancy. While the folks in Bosie would have the definitive answer, for a number of years after the introduction of the stainless Damascus blades in their knives, CRK continued to coat the Damascus (something that they had done at one point with the HC Damascus). Here is a pic of my 2006 BP Mnandi with raindrop blade which has the same shine, contrast, and chatoyancy as ice_man's annual:

You can definitely see a difference in the contrast and shine compared with today's stainless Damascus. The chatoyancy, however, is something that can't be captured very well in a pic ... you need to hold the blade in your hand and rotate it in the light to really appreciate.

I think CRK continued to coat all (or many of) the stainless Damascus blades until around 2009 or so. Most likely stopped doing this because the coated blades would mar/mark somewhat easily if used for serious cutting work or just for cost reasons (to coat initially and then redo if returned for spa treatment). Regardless, you can definitely notice a difference between coated and non-coated blades.

Thanks for chiming in Dennis... I am curious though in regards of the coated Damascus blades, does the coating improve the contrast on these blades? I wonder if CRK were to coat the newer Damascus blades, would that improve the shine and contrast of today's Stainless Damascus?

And I totally agree, you really need to have this older Damascus blades in hand to appreciate it's full beauty...

 

[d.r.h.]

I wonder if CRK were to coat the newer Damascus blades, would that improve the shine and contrast of today's Stainless Damascus?

Absolutely would ... however, I doubt they would do it!

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

Thanks for chiming in Dennis... I am curious though in regards of the coated Damascus blades, does the coating improve the contrast on these blades? I wonder if CRK were to coat the newer Damascus blades, would that improve the shine and contrast of today's Stainless Damascus?

And I totally agree, you really need to have this older Damascus blades in hand to appreciate it's full beauty...

As I said above, same process as the coating on our blue and bronze blades. Unfortunately, CRK stopped offering it years ago. I have a black coated one also, and it's very striking like yours. It's a different pattern, Vines and Roses.

The biggest giveaway to coated damascus is the contrast between the sides of the blade and the edge.

 

[ice_man]

As I said above, same process as the coating on our blue and bronze blades. Unfortunately, CRK stopped offering it years ago. I have a black coated one also, and it's very striking like yours. It's a different pattern, Vines and Roses.

The biggest giveaway to coated damascus is the contrast between the sides of the blade and the edge.

I yet have to see this beautiful vines & roses in person. I am sure that it is one of the rare damascus patterns offered way back.

LW, I meant to ask you, are the patterns on your blue damascus as pronounced as your vines & roses? Can you feel the patterns by touch? The patterns on my blue raindrops are pretty flat and you can barely feel it when gliding your finger across them...

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

I yet have to see this beautiful vines & roses in person. I am sure that it is one of the rare damascus patterns offered way back.

LW, I meant to ask you, are the patterns on your blue damascus as pronounced as your vines & roses? Can you feel the patterns by touch? The patterns on my blue raindrops are pretty flat and you can barely feel it when gliding your finger across them...

Let me answer this tonight when I can put hands on the knives. I can tell you that the most pronounced damascus blade I have is my large ROF. I could file down my nails with the side of that one.

 

[ice_man]

Let me answer this tonight when I can put hands on the knives. I can tell you that the most pronounced damascus blade I have is my large ROF. I could file down my nails with the side of that one.

Lol. That ROF is pretty useful! I am pretty sure that the pattern on that ROF is absolutely outstanding...

Ok, will await your findings...

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

You tell me.

The pattern on the small is just as nice, but not as pronounced.

 

[ice_man]

You tell me.

The pattern on the small is just as nice, but not as pronounced.

I reallt can't tell by just looking at the photo. Maybe you can send it over...

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

I reallt can't tell by just looking at the photo. Maybe you can send it over...

 

[JustinFournier]

Because you are all owners of these knives therefore comparisons would be bias, I propose you all send them to me for an objective comparison.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

Because you are all owners of these knives therefore comparisons would be bias, I propose you all send them to me for an objective comparison.

 

[ice_man]

Because you are all owners of these knives therefore comparisons would be bias, I propose you all send them to me for an objective comparison.

Lol. I like your style JF...

 

[JustinFournier]

Just showing my wife these pics trying to justify a budget increase, if I win the lottery, you guys are going to be like mini winners. Ima by eri-ting!!!

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

I yet have to see this beautiful vines & roses in person. I am sure that it is one of the rare damascus patterns offered way back.

LW, I meant to ask you, are the patterns on your blue damascus as pronounced as your vines & roses? Can you feel the patterns by touch? The patterns on my blue raindrops are pretty flat and you can barely feel it when gliding your finger across them...

Yes, V&R is rare. Mine was born July 22, 2005, and is one of about a dozen I've seen make the rounds here. At the time I bought it, it seemed stupid expensive. Now I'd take out a loan if I had to if I could get more at that price!

As for being pronounced, visually yes. The V&R is coated, just like your new Annual, and the contrast is every bit as drastic. The pattern in my small Classic with B&W Spiro is not quite as instinct, but close. The V&R has the advantage of being a large, more real estate for the blade to show off.

As for feeling patterns by touch, yes to most. I can feel patterns with varying crispness on all but my blue Spiro. It has a polished clearcoat over the color that's completely smooth to touch. Very reflective, too. I tried to show it in this pic, with my B&W beside it for comparison.

 

[ice_man]

Yes, V&R is rare. Mine was born July 22, 2005, and is one of about a dozen I've seen make the rounds here. At the time I bought it, it seemed stupid expensive. Now I'd take out a loan if I had to if I could get more at that price!

As for being pronounced, visually yes. The V&R is coated, just like your new Annual, and the contrast is every bit as drastic. The pattern in my small Classic with B&W Spiro is not quite as instinct, but close. The V&R has the advantage of being a large, more real estate for the blade to show off.

As for feeling patterns by touch, yes to most. I can feel patterns with varying crispness on all but my blue Spiro. It has a polished clearcoat over the color that's completely smooth to touch. Very reflective, too. I tried to show it in this pic, with my B&W beside it for comparison.

Thanks for the history LW. Also, thanks for confirming that the Blued Damascus blade is smooth to the touch.

One thing I hate about the old high carbon damascus blades is maintenance. But in any case, do you think the coating on the blue damascus somehow help prevents rust? I did purchase RIG (recommended by Angela of CRK) and treated it before storing.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

Thanks for the history LW. Also, thanks for confirming that the Blued Damascus blade is smooth to the touch.

One thing I hate about the old high carbon damascus blades is maintenance. But in any case, do you think the coating on the blue damascus somehow help prevents rust? I did purchase RIG (recommended by Angela of CRK) and treated it before storing.

So true about the rust. My small UG with that great looking Raindrop has a small spot on it from when it was a user. It's never gotten any worse since I stopped using it, even though I've never put anything on it. I do keep it wrapped in a cloth and in a CRK box when it's not out for pics like it is now.

I'm pretty sure the blue is well protected, that's a solid coat on there. No air is getting to the metal.

 

[ice_man]

So true about the rust. My small UG with that great looking Raindrop has a small spot on it from when it was a user. It's never gotten any worse since I stopped using it, even though I've never put anything on it. I do keep it wrapped in a cloth and in a CRK box when it's not out for pics like it is now.

I'm pretty sure the blue is well protected, that's a solid coat on there. No air is getting to the metal.

That is re-assuring to hear about the blue dammy. I guess I have to assemble and clean that large UG at least once or twice a month then...

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

That is re-assuring to hear about the blue dammy. I guess I have to assemble and clean that large UG at least once or twice a month then...

I don't do it anywhere near that. The only reason my user got any rust is that I was cutting things like tomatoes with it. I'd think putting RIG on it once would last a long time unless you wipe it off to ogle.

 

[ice_man]

I don't do it anywhere near that. The only reason my user got any rust is that I was cutting things like tomatoes with it. I'd think putting RIG on it once would last a long time unless you wipe it off to ogle.

Lol. I think I may play and fondle it at least twice or thrice a month. So, that is okay I guess... I just can't stand not handling and looking at them dammys for a long time..