Is Damasteel a user?

J

John Chong

Joined
Nov 18, 2000
Messages
142
Thinking of getting a damascus folder for EDC; mainly light chores. Would like something stainless, so I'm keen on damasteel. I think Mike Norris or Devin Thomas stainless damascus is more expensive right?

Any way, any thoughts on how well damasteel holds up? Easy to sharpen? How well does it perform?
 
I use a Custom damascus neck knife for EDC at work, its got a 2.5" Blade and is 6" OAL, made from 15N30 and 1084. It takes a wicked edge and has ok edge holding, i would put it on par with most mid range steels, a little better than AUS8, about as good as ATS34. I have put it through hell and this is a tough steel, i have bent it a little over 90 degree's prying and it bent back to the original angle no problems. Good steeel for EDC IMO, and its easy to sharpen.
 
Damasteel makes an excellent using knife. The 2 steels in the mix are the equivelent of ATS-35 and 12C27. At a hardness of 60 the knives will cut just about the same as a knife made from ATS-34. Rust resistance is also very good. Damasteel is made as an industrial product. There is a difference between that and steels made batch for batch by an individual smith.
 
Kevin, I am sure it was just a typo on your part, but the one steel used in the making of Damasteel would be somewhat comparable to ATS-34, not 35. It is RWL-34 and it is a powdersteel that has a similar makeup to ATS-34, but with added Vanadium. It is a superior steel to ATS-34 in my opinion.

Damasteel is an excellent choice for a user blade. When heat treated properly it holds an edge well, is easy to sharpen and is fairly tough. It also looks great.
 
I have a small knife I bought from Don Cowles over a year ago with a damasteel blade. I have used it quite a bit, I haven't really abused it, but I have used it for whatever I have needed to cut on a day to day basis, including, cardboard, tape, zip ties, plastic wrap, carpet, and I even carved a little plywood. It has stood up as well as any stainless blade I have. I have only had to resharpen it once. It takes a nice edge, and it holds that edge well. If I remember right, Don hardened it to 61-62 RC, It is a small knife, so britleness wasn't much of an issue for me.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
Any steel is only as good as the sum of its parts. In the case of Damasteel, those parts are individually already very good. Together they are great.

Already mentioned is the RWL-34 - equivalent to ATS-34 / BG42 in composition, but in powder metallurgy form its far more even in the grain structure than ATS-34 or 154CM could hope to be. Thank of it as a "starter's" particulate metallurgy steel. Jens Anso makes quite a few of his desirable cutters with this steel and I know he likes it. It is made in Sweden also, and that might make it a bit more affordable there. I am a forged carbon steel type of guy, but if I make knives from stainless, RWL-34 is what I start with.

12C27 is another stainless steel similar to 440A or 440B. Its lower in carbon and more stainless / tough. The edge holding is not as good but thats to mean it'll stay in the race with AUS-6 and 440A.

So overall, damasteel looks like impressive stuff. In short, its as good as any ATS-34 blade hardened and tempered to the same degree.

Using any damascus blade is almost masochistic, in my opinion. The etched up pattern can be difficult to restore once it is scuffed or if it has to be refinished.

PS.- Keith Montgomery, is that a Steve Filicietti Bowie I see in your picture box ?
 
No i meny 90, bent so far the screws holding the Ti handle on poped out. Was trying to pry a skid apart. Not something i would reccomend trying with a neck knife.
 
Yes Jason, that is a Filicietti knife. The picture is taken from his web site. When I get the one I have on order from him I will replace the picture. I have added Steve's name to the picture so that it will be easier for people to know who the maker is.
 
I have a Jason Jacks custom folder with a damasteel blade I use every day and I must say that the knife is REALLY good. It holds an edge very, very well and is easily sharpened using the correct tools.
I definitely give a "yes" answer to your question.
 
I've been carrying an ANSO damasteel Hybrid for the last couple weeks. I really like the edge holding of the damasteel. If I didn't know it, I'd swear I was using ATS-34.

It may get a bit more of a pesky wire edge than ATS-34 while sharpening, but a good strop will cure that in a hurry.

anso2.jpg
 
Buzz,
That is one gorgeous knife!
I love Anso's style and have been saving my $ to get one; probably a Damasheep.
How does the thing feel in the hand?
It looks like a short handle, but I bet the hole helps the grip.
How does the Damasteel cut? Does it take a "toothy" edge?
Man, no way a guy as ugly as you deserves all those cool knives;)
Lenny
 
How can you call Buzz ugly when you look like a crazy one-fanged siamese with a pot-belly!!!!
;) :p :D
 
Hey!! My face won't attract the women of the world, so I let my ANSO do the work for me. It's a babe magnet!!! :D

The ANSO Hybrid feels very good in the hand for such a small knife. With this design, you get to use the handle itself for grip, as well as the choil. The two add up to a pretty big overall grip. The grip is surprisingly secure too. Jens’ ergonomics are very good. The handle scales are thick enough to make the knife feel good in your hand, but not so thick that you feel like you’re holding a bowling ball. Small fixed blades are real challenge when it comes to ergonomics, and Jens is a master of the art.

The Damasteel actually prefers a more polished edge. Putting a rougher edge seems to create a nasty burr that doesn’t like to go away. I end up stropping the edge after sharpening on my SharpMaker. The good side is that between the stropping and Jens very acute edge bevel, the Hybrid cuts like crazy. Much better than your garden variety tactical folder.
 
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