Is Kershaw/Kai getting Blackwash happy?

[GronK]

you have 10 posts in this thread so far, mostly just dismissing on other people's opinions. Do you have anything valuable to say or are you just one of those old codgers that wanders aimlessly pissing on other peoples lawns? Best of luck in your wandering.

I stated an opinion and I have defended that opinion. You, on the other hand, are making it personal. Good luck with that.

 

[poolhustler]

To get back on track, I think that its just like any other business that is successful. Offer options/products that sell. That is what KAI/ZT are doing. Nothing wrong with that. If BW isn't for you, they offer many other knives in many other finishes.

 

[Paka]

At first I didn't really care for the look of BW knives, but it does look really nice on the leek. Blackwashed titanium handles with a stonewashed blade would look nice.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

you have 10 posts in this thread so far, mostly just dismissing on other people's opinions. Do you have anything valuable to say or are you just one of those old codgers that wanders aimlessly pissing on other peoples lawns? Best of luck in your wandering.


personally I like the Blackwash blades. I don't have to worry as much about scratching up a blade, or marring up the DLC. Is it cosmetic, yes....but by that argument any product can be held to similar standards. Is that a bad thing? Really worth 3 pages of petty banter?
I disagree with the concept that Damascus is purely cosmetic. I'd take a Damascus blade over a 3cr13mov blade any day....if you are going to make that argument you have to qualify it somehow. There are different grades of Damascus that have different performance qualities just as standard steels, Damasteel Damascus for example has some pretty impressive performance qualities being all staineless Damascus. For the most part Damascus is cosmetic....but especially in custom or collectible knives Damascus makes a big difference in overall price and desireability. For people that plan on actually using their knives it is generally of little difference.

Yup, different damascus steels have different performance characteristics. Which depend entirely on what kind of steel they're made out of, exactly like monosteel. The process doesn't impart any performance advantage to the damascus so, yes, damascus steel is purely cosmetic/aesthetic. That doesn't mean it's bad, or wrong, or easy to make, but it means the only reason to choose it is because you like the way it looks.

Heck, going back to your example, you can probably find someone to make you a damasteel knife with a core of 3cr13mov. Not sure why you would want to, but it wouldn't perform any better than a knife in monosteel 3cr13mov.

 

[trevitrace]

Because I'm a grumpy old man.

Off topic, I've been through Pueblo and can see why.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

That's why I said it's not necessarily better. No need to repeat what I said as if I was saying the opposite.

Damascus has to be made by hand, polished, etched and then perhaps polished again in order to go on a knife. Contrast that with mass produced steel that's just thrown in a tumbler.

Mock me all you want but isn't collaborative spirit why people purchase all the Hinderer, Sinkevitch, Onion and Rexford production collaborations? Those knifemakers' designs come from years of work, thought and experience. Just like the ability to produce great damascus steel comes from years of work, thought and experience.

I can slap a FatHead on my wall and it is a cosmetic improvement. I can also hire a famous artist to paint a fresco on my wall. The fresco will require tremendous skill, craftsmanship, the culmination of a lifetime of experience and will make the value of my house rise into the stratosphere. It's still just a cosmetic improvement.

I hear you that something like Blackwash and damascus steel can be worlds apart in terms of skill, artistry and effort, but they're still both purely cosmetic.

 

[knives_in_nature]

I don't care for blackwash whatsoever but it doesn't bother me.

 

[craytab]

Mock me all you want but isn't collaborative spirit why people purchase all the Hinderer, Sinkevitch, Onion and Rexford production collaborations? Those knifemakers' designs come from years of work, thought and experience. Just like the ability to produce great damascus steel comes from years of work, thought and experience.

No it is not. Don't be silly. Collaborative spirit isn't some magical property that imbues the knife with plus 100 cutting ability.

I am pretty sure people buy collaborations for very different reason. Perhaps even tangible ones. Dare I say to get closer to the performance of the original without expending the cost?

I can slap a FatHead on my wall and it is a cosmetic improvement. I can also hire a famous artist to paint a fresco on my wall. The fresco will require tremendous skill, craftsmanship, the culmination of a lifetime of experience and will make the value of my house rise into the stratosphere. It's still just a cosmetic improvement.

I hear you that something like Blackwash and damascus steel can be worlds apart in terms of skill, artistry and effort, but they're still both purely cosmetic.

What if it is a fat head of a damascus knife. Does my house get magical powers then?

 

[GronK]

Off topic, I've been through Pueblo and can see why.

Come back and visit. We'll hook you up with some green chile you'll never forget.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

What if it is a fat head of a damascus knife. Does my house get magical powers then?

Ha! I think we need to test this hypothesis!

 

[PURPLEDC]

Damascus does actually provide a performance advantage. Not in relation to any alloy but many damascus varieties offer a performance advantage depending on the desired attributes. it really depends on what the damascus is made of, what you are comparing it to and what you are aiming to achieve.

Better in terms of performance? Perhaps not. Does it represent extra steps, hand work, a collaborative spirit, and more premium materials? Yes.

That is not the case with coatings, blackwashes, or etc.

Using someone elses damascus hardly qualifies as a collaborative effort. a collaboration is two makers working together to either design something new or allow one maker to put their own spin on your design. Damascus while being an art all in its own is not a collaborative effort unless the damascus pattern was created and designed solely for a given project. I can buy a slab of devin thomas, rados or even alabama damascus and make a knife out of it. But it doesnt mean i collaborated with the damascus maker. And though blackwash blades dont involve extra handwork they do in fact involve extra steps and it is more costly to create than a standard black or stonewash finish. And even with the scratches in the finish it still reduces glare and provides corrosion resistance. And i actually dont buy ANY knives for their collaborative spirit. If i buy a collaboration with a production company it is to be able to buy and enjoy a design at a price point i find acceptable to carry on a daily basis. And even then it has less to do with who is collaborating and more on whether i like the design.

 

[trevitrace]

Come back and visit. We'll hook you up with some green chile you'll never forget.

Love me some good verde!

 

[symphonyincminor]

Shouldn't KAI just start a whole other brand where all they sell is blackwashed flippers that all pretty much look the same? Oh yeah, it's called ZT

 

[PURPLEDC]

Shouldn't KAI just start a whole other brand where all they sell is blackwashed flippers that all pretty much look the same? Oh yeah, it's called ZT

Nearly every 2015 release is either a satin or stonewashed blade in the zt line. In fact the only bw knife in the Zt lineup this year is a limited edition.

 

[flarp]

Nearly every 2015 release is either a satin or stonewashed blade in the zt line. In fact the only bw knife in the Zt lineup this year is a limited edition.

Most of the new 2015 releases are both satin and stonewashed. So, they're pandering to fans of both finishes simultaneously.

 

[craytab]

Nearly every 2015 release is either a satin or stonewashed blade in the zt line. In fact the only bw knife in the Zt lineup this year is a limited edition.

Most of the new 2015 releases are both satin and stonewashed. So, they're pandering to fans of both finishes simultaneously.

Oh come on guys, don't use facts and evidence to counter an argument.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Oh come on guys, don't use facts and evidence to counter an argument.

I guess logic, common sense and reason are all off limits too. Well if this conversation has been reduced to biased uninformed opinions, butt hurt and axe grinding I concede to the will of he forum. And you and i have to stop agreeing on things. Im starting to think we are going to rip a hole in fabric of space and time.

 

[grownstar]

Oh come on guys, don't use facts and evidence to counter an argument.

Haha! Facts and evidence have no place on BladeForums!

I, for one, love the Blackwash look. I've had a few BW models and the aesthetics appeal to me. If they don't do it for ya, just don't buy it. Plain and simple.

P.S. This thread has reminded me to try and pick up some new KAI releases!

 

[HST]

I really like the BW finish from KAI. I have a ZT 560BW and couldn't be happier with that knife. I sold my regular 560 to get the BW model I liked it so much.

 

[shunsui]

This thread needs more pix.