Damascus collect or use?

I have one Damascus knife, the recent Caly 3 Sprint Run. I carry it, although sparingly. It's my dedicated gentlemen's knife.
 
Knives are made to be used! I've used all my custom Damascus fixed blades for a lot of tasks. Skinning a deer, carving a turkey, or just tasks you need done when you go camping.
 
SharpShooter.308 said:
Knives are made to be used! I've used all my custom Damascus fixed blades for a lot of tasks. Skinning a deer, carving a turkey, or just tasks you need done when you go camping.
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i'm sure most people on this forum are aware that knives are meant to be used.

i was asking if damacus is worth purchasing for someone who is a user...

i've always been under the impression that damascus blades we're more for collectors.
 
There is stainless damascus, which can be used without much problem, and non-stainless, which uses steels that give a higher contrast but require regular oiling. Sebenza's are stainless, unless they specify otherwise. William Henry knives generally clad a super steel, like ZDP-189, with damascus. This way you get the look of damascus but edge retention and sharpness of a high-end stainless steel. A combination like 1095 and L6 nickel will give high, gorgeous contrast but will not keep its edge as well.

Most quality knife makers will tell the buyer what care is required, even production knife makers. I'm no expert but have learned through experience.


four_shore said:
i'm sure most people on this forum are aware that knives are meant to be used.

i was asking if damacus is worth purchasing for someone who is a user...

i've always been under the impression that damascus blades we're more for collectors.
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Does anyone have experience with stainless Damascus (Chad Nichols and other reputable makers) on an EDC folder? I'm wondering how the edge retention stacks up against other stainless steels. Someday I'd like a custom in stainless Damascus but I don't want to be disappointed. It wouldn't see hard use but I wouldn't want to be sharpening constantly either.
 
I don't have a lot of Damascus blades. All of mine were custom made. I use the heck out of them though. They hold up well, stay sharp, and do their job.
 
four_shore said:
i'm sure most people on this forum are aware that knives are meant to be used.

i was asking if damacus is worth purchasing for someone who is a user...

i've always been under the impression that damascus blades we're more for collectors.
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I understand the idea. But saying that damascus is more for collectors is like saying that different grades of steel are more for collectors.

Different makers make different damascus composites and use different heat treats.

Wondering whether damascus is good is like asking whether steel is good. You've got to specify before you can get a usefull answer.
 
LX_Emergency said:
I understand the idea. But saying that damascus is more for collectors is like saying that different grades of steel are more for collectors.

Different makers make different damascus composites and use different heat treats.

Wondering whether damascus is good is like asking whether steel is good. You've got to specify before you can get a usefull answer.
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i'm simply asking whether or not people put their damascus to use.

i also said that i was "under the impression" that damascus was for collectors.

i didnt say (with certainty) that it was for collectors...

i don't recall questioning whether damascus was "good" or not either...
 
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Sorry man. But those ARE a large number of the answers you're getting.

In short. I do use my damascus knife lightly. But that's mainly because it's too small and thin of a knife for heavy use.

(I'm sure you can tell from the picture)

SAM_2879.jpg


But I do like it for that application.
 
no need to apologize.

i just wanted everyones take on it.

thanks for sharing (cool pic btw).

everything is better with pics.
 
The most important thing to keep in mind is that damascus is only for looks. There is no practical need for folded steel with modern manufacturing. The inclusions and voids that could be worked out with folding are not an issue with modern steels, and folding two different alloys was not a solution to that anyway. Carbon levels are known and well controlled, there is no necessary mixing and matching of different sections of the bloom that got more or less exposure to the reducing atmosphere. Forged damascus takes a lot more labor and time to produce, especially since the component steels themselves are already complete before mixing together. This extra work is done for looks. Pattern welding steel is not going to give you something with better wear resistance, toughness, hardness, temper resistance, or any other desirable property when compared to any particular modern alloy.

Steel production is a fairly mature industry, and there are many choices out there - so many that damascus is not done to fill a need as far as material properties go. Anyone can use a damascus blade if they so choose, but no one needs a damascus blade to fulfill a particular cutting task. I think anyone who wants a pattern-welded blade should get a pattern-welded blade. I just think that they should only have a couple reasons for it - appreciation of the appearance or the workmanship involved. There should be no seeking out of greater performance, because there is none. The steels will behave as they should when the carbon diffuses between the layers and the larger alloying elements stay put, no magic will take place.
 
hardheart said:
I think anyone who wants a pattern-welded blade should get a pattern-welded blade. I just think that they should only have a couple reasons for it - appreciation of the appearance or the workmanship involved. There should be no seeking out of greater performance, because there is none. The steels will behave as they should when the carbon diffuses between the layers and the larger alloying elements stay put, no magic will take place.
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This is it really. Damascus can be just as good as most mono steels.....but usually no better really.
 
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