Damascus steel on Leek - what should I expect?

Here was a post on the knife/steel from STR:

STR said:
...Here are some pics I've been sitting on waiting to be able to post and let out there that I thought those of you asking about the Damascus Leek would find interesting. I could go on and on with some pseudo scientific mumbo jumbo if you like but I'd rather just say this from the mind of a simple backyard mechanic. If the question comes up regarding the Damascus Leek regarding the Alabama Damascus, hardness, can it be used effectively in a variety of mediums to please an end line user and so on the answer is yes. Regardless of all the desriptive phrasing and so on about rounded edges, apex, this kind of sharpening that kind, you can buy this knife and get it to where it will work well for you as a cutting tool.

I put a 15` edge on each side of this Leek using my Edge Pro right after getting it. I stropped it a few times and ran it down the 1200 grit ceramic rod and off I went. From then on to this day I have only used the little EZLapp XXF diamond sharpener you see in these pics to touch it up when it needed and with just a few light strops on that it was back up and running to another nice keen edge.

I like it and won't be getting rid of this one. Will it cut with the ZDP189 or S30V before needing a touch up? No it won't. But for what its worth I no longer have either of those ones. This one came to me as a liner lock. A pink one at that! But not being man enough to carry a pink knife I first bead blasted that off, then later swapped out the body of the liner lock with a Wal-Mart stainless frame lock. I like this much better as it sits here and it looks like Kershaw is going to be offering them just like this to you guys. I think you'll be pleased. Really I do.

Seen here is some cutting I did with it. Hemp rope which amounts to about 100 or so end cuts (slices) And not all those were done right there. I had a bigger board at first but it got chewed up and discarded so I moved to a new one. Then we have some carpet remnants cut into strips off a bigger piece, just enough to see how she did on that after the hemp cuts, then I sharpened it some and went to work on some pecan which is the darker piece and then into some pine leaving some shavings I'll use for packing materials to cushion knives shipped back to customers. Yes some of you lucky guys may see some of these very shavings in your packages. :D You don't have to thank me really>

Seriously this Damascus carbon steel Leek is a nice little folder and I like it a lot. I don't think 500 will be enough and that they'll go fast though so if you want one bite the bullet now and snag it...


STR
Click to expand...
 
When I contacted Alabama Damascus about their steel, this is what they had to say:

Mike

The steel is made from the following:

We use (3) layers of 52100, (4) layers of 5160, (3) layers of 203E, and (3)
layers of 15N20.

The steel is forged out and folded 5 times to give you 416 layers.

The leeks are made from a random pattern. Brad told me that Kershaw is
about to release a knife made from our ladder pattern steel.


Thanks
Lacy
Alabama Damascus Steel
Click to expand...

mike
 
Is it true that washing the blade with soap or any cleaners may remove the damascus? I really really want to get a scallion but don't want to worry about ruining it.
 
The finish might get dulled depending on what you put on it. Mine has dulled quite a bit, but I've been using it since it came out.
Most of my EDC's have taken on a different shade after many uses.
I think it adds character to it.

It is an excellent slicer no matter what the blade looks like IMO.
The layers of steel from the etching process is what you're seeing, they'll always be there, just fainter.

I keep mine wiped down with some type of non-acidic veggie oil (because of use with food). Not soaking in it, just a light wipe until the oil goes away.

On the other hand, if you want it for looks, I have my other 22 sealed up with desiccant in seal-a-meal bags. ;)
And I change those every 6 months.

mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top