Damasteel

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Karl_420

Joined
May 9, 2024
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I am brand new into knives. I currently carry a bench made bugout with S30v serrated blade. I love the bugout. Light weight and I forget I am carrying it most of the time.

I want to get a custom bugout with the Dama-ladder steel.

I can't really find any reviews of Benchmade's Dama-ladder steel anywhere. Is it any good or is it a waste of money?

Can you please enlighten me?
 
Hi everyone. I am new to the knife world.

I currently carry a Benchmade bugout with S30v serrated blade. I really enjoy it. Lightweight and forget I am even carrying it most days.

I want to build the same knife but with the Damascus "Dama-ladder" steel they offer. However, I can't find any thoughtful reviews on their dama-steel.

Is it worth it? or should I stick with the S30v?

Please explain your reasoning in support of your opinions.

Thank you for educating the newbie!
 
Karl_420 said:
Hi everyone. I am new to the knife world.

I currently carry a Benchmade bugout with S30v serrated blade. I really enjoy it. Lightweight and forget I am even carrying it most days.

I want to build the same knife but with the Damascus "Dama-ladder" steel they offer. However, I can't find any thoughtful reviews on their dama-steel.

Is it worth it? or should I stick with the S30v?

Please explain your reasoning in support of your opinions.

Thank you for educating the newbie!
Click to expand...

If edge retention is your primary interest, S30V will have slightly better edge retention than Damasteel. But Damasteel (a fine powder formed steel) will perform similar to CPM-154, which has slightly better toughness than S30V and is less likely to chip. Corrosion resistance is good with both and very similar between the two.

Even though Damasteel doesn't have the better edge retention than S30V, it performs similar to S35VN in all areas - toughness, edge, and corrosion. While Damasteel is closer to S35VN or CPM-154 (and RWL-34), the S30V is closer in properties to Elmax.

As a reference, the edge retention of Magnacut is actually similar to Damasteel, RWL-34, and S35VN; but Magnacut is noticeably better in toughness and corrosion resistance than any of the above mentioned stainless steels. EDIT - assuming the typical 60-61 HRC that many companies are treating Magnacut. At 63-64 HRC Magnacut will have better edge retention.

BTW - I have a bugout in Ti and Damasteel and it's great, but for edge retention I reach for my Bugout in M390 or S90V (the only three bugouts I own). S90V is similar toughness vs M390, with better edge retention, but not as stainless.
 
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If edge retention is your primary interest, S30V will have slightly better edge retention than Damasteel. But Damasteel (a fine powder formed steel) will perform similar to CPM-154, which has slightly better toughness than S30V and is less likely to chip. Corrosion resistance is good with both and very similar between the two.

Even though Damasteel doesn't have the better edge retention than S30V, it performs similar to S35VN in all areas - toughness, edge, and corrosion. While Damasteel is closer to S35VN or CPM-154 (and RWL-34), the S30V is closer in properties to Elmax.

As a reference, the edge retention of Magnacut is actually similar to Damasteel, RWL-34, and S35VN; but Magnacut is noticeably better in toughness and corrosion resistance than any of the above mentioned stainless steels. EDIT - assuming the typical 60-61 HRC that many companies are treating Magnacut. At 63-64 HRC Magnacut will have better edge retention.

BTW - I have a bugout in Ti and Damasteel and it's great, but for edge retention I reach for my Bugout in M390 or S90V (the only three bugouts I own). S90V is similar toughness vs M390, with better edge retention, but not as stainless.
 
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DamaSteel is great stuff!!! I have multiple knives in it. 3 custom and a Benchmade crooked river in the ladder DamaSteel...... Takes and holds an edge for good amount of use. I think its pretty much the best looking " Damascus " made now.......
 
DocJekl said:
If edge retention is your primary interest, S30V will have slightly better edge retention than Damasteel. But Damasteel (a fine powder formed steel) will perform similar to CPM-154, which has slightly better toughness than S30V and is less likely to chip. Corrosion resistance is good with both and very similar between the two.

Even though Damasteel doesn't have the better edge retention than S30V, it performs similar to S35VN in all areas - toughness, edge, and corrosion. While Damasteel is closer to S35VN or CPM-154 (and RWL-34), the S30V is closer in properties to Elmax.

As a reference, the edge retention of Magnacut is actually similar to Damasteel, RWL-34, and S35VN; but Magnacut is noticeably better in toughness and corrosion resistance than any of the above mentioned stainless steels. EDIT - assuming the typical 60-61 HRC that many companies are treating Magnacut. At 63-64 HRC Magnacut will have better edge retention.

BTW - I have a bugout in Ti and Damasteel and it's great, but for edge retention I reach for my Bugout in M390 or S90V (the only three bugouts I own). S90V is similar toughness vs M390, with better edge retention, but not as stainless.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the thoughtful analysis. Can you please explain how dramatic the decrease in edge retention is?

Will I notice it? Is it negligible? Approximately how long will it hold an edge for? Can I sharpen it myself or do I need to send back to factory?
 
Look up gersh blades. He makes Damascus reblades. And he’s a BF supported vendor.
 
I have a number of different knives -several customs - made with Damasteel blades. I really like them. But it is up to you and your budget.
 
Karl_420 said:
Thank you for the thoughtful analysis. Can you please explain how dramatic the decrease in edge retention is?

Will I notice it? Is it negligible? Approximately how long will it hold an edge for? Can I sharpen it myself or do I need to send back to factory?
Click to expand...
S30V might cut 10-15% more sheets of cardboard or cardstock than Damasteel (or similar RWL34 or CPM-154). So, assuming an HRC of 61, then maybe 500 cuts on the CATRA card cut test for Damasteel vs 575 sheets for S30V. You can sharpen it yourself.

I googled this for you just now:

knifesteelnerds.com

Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist - Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance - Knife Steel Nerds

Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance.
knifesteelnerds.com knifesteelnerds.com
 
Looks like both threads were merged, hence many posts are duplicated if posted in both threads.
 
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