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Damsacus
- Thread starter Edsal17
- Start date
I just wanted to clarify my post. I talking in regards to the new Emerson Custom productions. I assume no one has got one of these yet, but as for those of you who have the customs with Damasacus, do you know wether you got the carbon or steel option? Is it really worth the extra $$$$. Does it hold a better edge or is it a harder blade, or is it merely just a difference in cosmetics.
The Damasacus Commander sure is a beauty.
d
The Damasacus Commander sure is a beauty.
d
Well, no one has answered you yet, so I'll offer my opinions. To me the only negative aspect of QUALITY damascus is that it costs more. It was originally intended to offer the best of two worlds, cutting ability (including longevity of edge retention) and toughness, or resistance to breaking (ballpark explanation). Thus, high carbon steel was layered with low carbon steel, and it worked pretty much as expected. Along the way someone noticed how great the two separate layers looked when etched. This evolved into it's current primary use, which I believe is for it's appearance, via all the superb patterns available from various "artists in steel", although with the high-tech steel combinations in use, I'm sure it's cutting ability is excellent.
For a frequently used knife I'd go with the standard stainless. For a collectible, or light/occasional use knife, damascus might be a nice choice. Is it worth it? Only you can decide how important the artistic side of knives is to you. In terms of the effort put into it by the makers of damascus, I do think it's worth the extra cost. I have a bar of Devin Thomas high contrast, non-stainless, raindrop damascus on the desk beside me as I write this (part of it is in the shape of a CQC-9 blade I'm working on--keeps me happy until I get the one on order). With no heat treat (it helps to bring out the pattern), or etching on my part, it's like having a piece of art laying around--that's how good it looks to me. Can you tell I like damascus? And there's non better than Devin Thomas'.
Stainless, of course, resists rust, and the high carbon would need more attention along those lines, although the DT high carbon bar that I've had indoors for several years doesn't have a speck of rust on it. My understanding concerning appearance is that high carbon, in general, shows better pattern contrast than the all stainless types. How much difference, I'm not certain. Perhaps some of the folks that make or have both types, can tell us.
For a frequently used knife I'd go with the standard stainless. For a collectible, or light/occasional use knife, damascus might be a nice choice. Is it worth it? Only you can decide how important the artistic side of knives is to you. In terms of the effort put into it by the makers of damascus, I do think it's worth the extra cost. I have a bar of Devin Thomas high contrast, non-stainless, raindrop damascus on the desk beside me as I write this (part of it is in the shape of a CQC-9 blade I'm working on--keeps me happy until I get the one on order). With no heat treat (it helps to bring out the pattern), or etching on my part, it's like having a piece of art laying around--that's how good it looks to me. Can you tell I like damascus? And there's non better than Devin Thomas'.
Stainless, of course, resists rust, and the high carbon would need more attention along those lines, although the DT high carbon bar that I've had indoors for several years doesn't have a speck of rust on it. My understanding concerning appearance is that high carbon, in general, shows better pattern contrast than the all stainless types. How much difference, I'm not certain. Perhaps some of the folks that make or have both types, can tell us.
RA pretty much summed it up. The only other comment is that Damsacus has the legend of never needing sharpening or becoming sharper as you use it. In the past, this myth may have had some truth to it- but the quality of the steels used today makes that a moot point.
(Can you imagine living in the bronze or iron age and having a damsacus steel sword?)
I agree with RA, today's damascus is more art then functional. Buying a Custom-Production in damascus is more for collecting/showing off then for hard use. Devin Thomas makes some amazing blades. It definitely is a step-up from the production line. Just think of the reaction if you talking knives with your buds and you whip one of these out. I'm sure it does wonder for your ego!
If you love Emerson's, you probably have already ordered at least one (Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa)
(Can you imagine living in the bronze or iron age and having a damsacus steel sword?)
I agree with RA, today's damascus is more art then functional. Buying a Custom-Production in damascus is more for collecting/showing off then for hard use. Devin Thomas makes some amazing blades. It definitely is a step-up from the production line. Just think of the reaction if you talking knives with your buds and you whip one of these out. I'm sure it does wonder for your ego!
If you love Emerson's, you probably have already ordered at least one (Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa)