Damascus Steel for EDC

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V10011011

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Apr 2, 2003
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How does Damascus steel hold up to punishment? Damascus steel is an alloy of other steels depending on the mixture the forger uses right? Wouldn't that mean some damascus steels are stronger than others or is there a set range of specifications the alloy must follow before its labeled damascus?
Is it more for art or would it be a good EDC blade material also?
What's the typical RC of damascus?

Thanks :D
 
Damascus refers to a very broad range of steels. Wootz Damascus is totally different from pattern-welded Damascus. O-1/L6 Damascus will behave very differently than Damascus that contains nickel.

The simple answer (and it is a spectacular simplification) is that you should buy Damascus because you like the way it looks and accept that it won't perform as well as non-Damascus.

Specifically as to RC, it will vary enormously based on what kind of Damascus you are talking about, but generally it is quite a bit softer than a typical knife steel. However the RC number isn't as useful a predictor of Damascus steel performance as it is for non-Damascus.
 
Rockwell hardness is used as a proxy for a bunch of different steel characteristics. If you know how D2 was heat treated and it has a specific RC value, then you have a reasonable idea of how it will perform - abrasion resistance, rolling resistance, chip resistance, and so on. If you are looking at different steels or really different heat treating methods, then the RC tells you less, but you can kinda sorta maybe say things about how two blades will differ.

Knowing that a D2 blade has an RC of 61 and a damascus blade has an RC of, say, 48 doesn't tell you much relatively about the two blades.

Cliff Stamp or someone of his ilk can probably drill down into this a lot further than I can.
 
I think you can gain alot of information on this if you do a search in the shoptalk forum.

From what I have read, quality damascus can make for a very good working knife. The look will be lost after a few times of putting it through its paces though. Polished, it looks very much like a normal blade. Etching the surface is what makes the patterns stand out. The different steels react to the chemicals at different rates. As the finish is scratched or worn off it will look like a normal scratched up blade.

As far as cutting performance- I don't have any personal experience but I think I've read that damascus in general wears down to a toothy edge that will cut well for quite a while. Performance will vary greatly with the type of steels used, whether nickel sheeting was in between layers, how many layers, and on and on the list goes.
 
Thanks.
I thought that the markings on the blade show all the way through the steel (if we took a cross section, the pattern would still show) and isn't just the top layer..guess they aren't as durable as I thought.
 
The layers do go all the way through the steel. However steel is, well, shiny. And two steels laminated together are ... shiny.

In order to make the pattern visible, Damascus is dipped into an etching solution. The two steels respond to the etch differently (one gets darker than the other, basically), and the pattern hidden in the polished steel is now obvious in the etched steel.

Here are some instructions for etching Damascus (Thunderforge is a brand name).

Etching Instructions for Thunderforged™ Damascus

Step by Step

1. Clean blade with acetone. 2. Soak in solution. 3. Rinse in water & soap. 4. Oil.

Detailed Instructions

Clean your blade very well in acetone. At this point make sure you do not touch the blade with your hands, as the oils from your fingers will harm the end result. We recommend that you use tweezers. Once the blade is totally dry you are ready to dip it in to the solution.

Dip the blade point down in to the glass or plastic container that is holding the etching solution. Leave the blade in there for about 15 to 20 minutes. Pull the blade out after 15 minutes & inspect how the etch looks, if you need a higher contrast, again dip the blade back in the etching solution for additional time till you have reached the desired contrast. Do regularly check on your blade while in the solution.

Once you have reached the desired contrast you pull the blade out and immediately rinse it in luke warm water & rub hand soap on it simultaneously. At this time you will notice that a black substance will be coming off, this is the carbon that was removed during the etch. Keep washing the blade until no more black carbon is coming off.

The next step is to oil your blade using good quality gun oil.

Even after you have oiled it, you can go back to step 1 to start all over to reach a higher contrast if desired.

Etching Solution Ingredients

50% PCB Etchant Solution (available at Radio Shack®) & mix with 50% White Vinegar. Use a plastic or glass container to hold this solution DO NOT use a metal container.
 
Originally posted by V10011011
..guess they aren't as durable as I thought.
Click to expand...

Hi V10011011,

This might not be entirely true... my experience with Damascus as an EDC is very good. I´ve been using a (stainless) Damascus fixed blade as my EDC since october last year and I like it a lot. I use it also to cut fruit and vegetables and the pattern is still as good as it was when I got the knife. All I do is keep it clean and well oiled.

Ofcourse I try not to scratch this knife so it gets only ´light´ EDC use (which is all I do basically).

I guess it all comes down to the type of steels used in the Damascus... the composition of the steel determines it´s usability for everyday chores. Concerning sharpness and edge retention my experience is also very good; it takes a very sharp edge and keeps it too.

Is there a particular knife you had in mind?
 
Damascus quality depends upon the maker and the composition. I have a L6/1095 fixed 3" blade that is an excellent cutter. Well forged damascas holds an edge for a long time and is very durable. However, my blade was forged not stock removal. I like the concept of a forged blade made from forged steel, and luckily it gives a good looking and cutting blade. The edge is a toothier than 1095 alone, but that just a difference not a problem. Simple care with wax or oil, washing after cutting fruit, keeps the blade in good shape. Damascus paired with natural materials such as wood, bone, ivory, etc. has a classic look thats hard to beat for suits or jeans.
 
heh
i was just curious what etchant solution was

anyway :)

Cupric chloride, solid (CuCl2 · 2 H2O) 200 g
Hydrochloric acid, conc. (HCl, 37.5%) 100 g

Water, to make 1000 mL
 
Mine in my Spiral Sebenza has held up really well, it got nicked by a coin/yey in my pocket, but thats all.

Mine is Devin Thomas, 15N20 (L6 bandsaw with nickle) and 1084.

Not even had rusting problems with care.:D

Cuts like nothing else I have ever used! Excellent. I want a Damasteel blade next for my large benza!:cool:
 
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