Damascus for a Beater?

S

srmd22

Joined
Oct 19, 2009
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Anyone have a high quality Damascus that they actually use-- even hard use?

I am thinking about getting something like:

10542-1.jpg


I don't really know if I would use it once I got it, as I don't currently own any knives this fancy or expensive. I do have a CRK and an SmF, both users.
 
i have quite a few damascus knives that get used...some harder and more often that others.....the good thing about damascus is it can get a sand and an etch and look good as new if it gets really beat up after a while.....ryan
 
Knives are tools *first*, and works of art second....having a damascus EDC/work knife is like having Snap-On tools....if your wallet can take the hit, why not ?
 
Well...if I owned one I doubt I would use it for anything too hard on it. But if it was the only knife in the room then I wouldn't hesitate.
 
This is my new EDC. It's a beauty, but it will see use. Granted, if I'm at home and need to do something harsh I'll reach for something else, but out in the world, if I need a knife, this will be it. It's a tool; a beautiful tool, but still a tool.

4059638102_c921681ef0_b.jpg


4058896651_c164d5904e_b.jpg
 
statius said:
This is my new EDC. It's a beauty, but it will see use. Granted, if I'm at home and need to do something harsh I'll reach for something else, but out in the world, if I need a knife, this will be it. It's a tool; a beautiful tool, but still a tool.
Click to expand...

That`s a stunning knife....you can use it with pride ! :-)
 
Considering ive been on this forum for quite a few years and have never seen a Damascus blade seem used I would say they are rarely really used hard. So given my observations, i wouldnt bother with one as a primary user unless you just use a knife lightly. Most people are pretty light on their knives so id say it would be fine.

Personally, I don't really like damascus and would never pay more for steel that functions worse than other steels but looks pretty. Thats just me of course:)
 
I may be a bit pig-headed about this...but there are only 2 types of Damascus steel I would consider user-capable.

O1/L6

and

CPM154/CPM3V


I've made knives in damascus, owned some of my own, owned damascus knives by others and have even EDC-ed the stuff for long periods of time to "try it out". And the 2 above are the only "mixtures" I've been happy with.


From a "performance" point of view, damascus doesn't really make sense.

The main problem is that damascus steel is a "compromise" between 2 or more metals. It is also often made with carbon steels, making it prone to rust - which, on O1 or 1095 creates a nice tarnish. On damascus, the tarnish ruins the nice look. In the case of stainless damascus steel, you save your finish but lose out on the performance still because of the "other stuff" in the mix, etc.

In the case of the 2 listed above, that compromise is more of a handshake. They compliment and assist each other.



From an aesthetic point of view, the thought of marring the finish on a damascus knife even makes me hesitant...and I'm equipped to put it right back on.


So, it's hard to not think of damascus as being a non-beater type steel. I doubt you'll find many owners or makers willing to treat it otherwise.

Dan
 
To each their own. I like my damascus EDC and I'll beat the hell out of it if needs be; it's just a knife. Buy what you like, and like what you buy, and damn the rest and their opinions:)!
 
statius said:
... It's a tool; a beautiful tool, but still a tool.
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Wait a minute...oh, the knife! Yes, of course, ahem. That is a beauty:D

Daniel Thoster: thanks for the info on what constitutes a better performance recipe for Damascus-- I was actually wondering how one might evaluate this. Also, your point and Thalestin's make sense-- the blades are almost too pretty to use, since they will invariably get messed up a bit, and the main attraction for them in the first place is their looks. Sure they can be spruced up (by someone who knows what they are doing, certainly not me), but that is a hassle.

I'd love to see some pics of abused damascus blades if anyone has any-- maybe they actually have some character? (Although the gist of some of the posts so far is no-- they just look like poo).

Stadius: beauty!
 
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I may be a bit pig-headed about this...but there are only 2 types of Damascus steel I would consider user-capable.

O1/L6

and

CPM154/CPM3V
Click to expand...

damascus from CPM154/CPM3V really never seen it done with 3v, or any CPM steel for that matter
 
The kirby lambert's damascus seem to be made mostly of O2/L6, and I think I saw one that saidd O6/L6. Not sure what O1, O2, O6 etc actually means, and I don't know about L6 either. I have only heard about 420, 440, 1050, 1095 S30V, CPM 154, AUS-8, VG10, some other AUS's and some other V's.
 
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