Damascus Sebenza question

ice_man

ice_man

Joined
Sep 16, 2014
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Hi guys, pretty new to the forums and CRK as well. :)

I have a couple of questions regarding the DT Stainless Damascus blades on the current sebenzas. I noticed that there are the coated versions and the uncoated ones. Can anyone confirm the difference between the 2 versions?

I recently purchased a Damascus CF Sebenza from KA and it has a "shiny" damascus blade, which I believe is the coated version. I actually thought they stopped coating their Damascus and the newer ones look more like a matte version and uncoated.

Also, do I need to oil this blade for maintenance?

Thank you!
 
If you purchased a Damascus CRK new there's an almost 100% chance it has SS damascus, meaning that it is not coated nor will it need oil.

What pattern is the damascus? That would help confirm. If it's raindrop, basketweave or ladder it's definitely stainless.

The coated knives were the ones that used Devin Thomas Carbon Damascus and they haven't made any of those in a long time, they tended to be more complex damascus patterns as well.

"shiny"ness is pretty subjective so I can't really comment on that more than to say, they definitely look much shinier to me in the flesh than in pictures.
 
If you store it in the slip sheath, I'd keep it oiled, otherwise you don't have to worry. I have the same knife, carry it every day. Only time I ever saw spots on it was when I used to store it in the sheath while carrying.
 
justsomedude said:
If you purchased a Damascus CRK new there's an almost 100% chance it has SS damascus, meaning that it is not coated nor will it need oil.

What pattern is the damascus? That would help confirm. If it's raindrop, basketweave or ladder it's definitely stainless.

The coated knives were the ones that used Devin Thomas Carbon Damascus and they haven't made any of those in a long time, they tended to be more complex damascus patterns as well.

"shiny"ness is pretty subjective so I can't really comment on that more than to say, they definitely look much shinier to me in the flesh than in pictures.
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I got it from Knife Art with their exclusive CF scale and has a manufacture date of 04/28/15. And yes, it does indicate Stainless steel on the CRK card.

It has a raindrop pattern. However, I also noticed that the newer raindrop patterns are significantly different from the old ones I saw before and I actually prefer the old ones.

I totally agree that they look much shinier in person than the pictures...

Thanks for your input and here are some eye candy... :)

VMLMi9Hl.jpg


M7mQ8xjl.jpg
 
Zeta33 said:
If you store it in the slip sheath, I'd keep it oiled, otherwise you don't have to worry. I have the same knife, carry it every day. Only time I ever saw spots on it was when I used to store it in the sheath while carrying.
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awww bummer.. I carry all my CRKs on the leather sheath.. I was hoping not to oil it since I hate the oily feeling on my hands.. :(

but anyway, which oil would you recommend?

thanks!
 
ice_man said:
awww bummer.. I carry all my CRKs on the leather sheath.. I was hoping not to oil it since I hate the oily feeling on my hands.. :(

but anyway, which oil would you recommend?

thanks!
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Forgot to say congrats on the knife! I use Frog Lube on all my knives that might require the protection.
 
Zeta33 said:
Forgot to say congrats on the knife! I use Frog Lube on all my knives that might require the protection.
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Thanks Zeta33, will read-up on that Frog Lube... a very light coating would probably do right?
 
Another forum member who goes by Blackend has received 2 DT damascus blades in the last month or so and both are just as shiny as the old coated blades were, and, yes they also coated the stainless blades for a while as well as the carbon damascus- I had a Mnandi with a DT stainless ladder blade that was coated. If I remember correctly it was clear KG gun kote.
His new blades are "smoother" to the touch than my 3 damascus " Un-coated " CRK blades are and it seems as if they were polished or much better prepared before etching; they feel as smooth as an S30V,S35VN, or BG-42 blade does, you can't pick up the pattern by running your finger nail across it and there's no transmission of the pattern through the detent ball when moving the blade.
I really like it and hope that they keep doing it.

Congrats on a great blade, I hope that you enjoy using it.
 
All SS Damascus blades are uncoated. Some years of the older carbon Damascus blades were the ones coated. I don't remember they years, but it was near the end of carbons life at CRK.

If this has already been stated, sorry, I did not read all responses.
 
1AbominAble1 said:
Another forum member who goes by Blackend has received 2 DT damascus blades in the last month or so and both are just as shiny as the old coated blades were, and, yes they also coated the stainless blades for a while as well as the carbon damascus- I had a Mnandi with a DT stainless ladder blade that was coated. If I remember correctly it was clear KG gun kote.
His new blades are "smoother" to the touch than my 3 damascus " Un-coated " CRK blades are and it seems as if they were polished or much better prepared before etching; they feel as smooth as an S30V,S35VN, or BG-42 blade does, you can't pick up the pattern by running your finger nail across it and there's no transmission of the pattern through the detent ball when moving the blade.
I really like it and hope that they keep doing it.

Congrats on a great blade, I hope that you enjoy using it.
Click to expand...

Although I have never seen or inspected the old version of the damascus CRK was using, I believe you are right regarding the new "smoother" damascus blades.

I still can't tell if the newer ones are coated or not though. I can definitely say though that the "shininess" that you can see on photos is due to lighting. I've captured the damascus with and without the shine.

Thank you! For now, I am content on staring at it as I have a plain jane as a user. :)
 
FWIW, I was talking to one of the CRK staff on the phone a couple weeks ago. I asked them about the damascus blades; do they need to be treated for rust prevention and what to use.

They said to use nothing as their damascus is stainless and does not need any rust protection. They said their damascus wears just like their S35VN and to treat it the same way: just keep the blades clean and wash with soap & water when they need it, especially if you cut anything acidic like some fruits or other foods that could chemically damage the damascus if left on it.

I was very happy and relieved to hear that. :)
 
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That's good news! I prefer not to use anything on the blade as I want it bare and clean. :)
 
That's my current favorite raindrop blade and it looks great with the CF.
I'll be happy to take it off of your hands should you get sick of it 😉
 
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