Is NEW Damascus different from OLD Damascus?

[Lavan]

It's very pretty, but in the old days they used to make shotgun barrels out of very decorative Damascus steel. They were plenty strong but over years and years, the layers begin to rust and lose integrity and the shotgun barrel can burst at any time.

Not that we'll care in 100 years, but wouldn't a damascus knife tend to do the same thing? Start internally rusting and then when it's old, just snap off sometime?

 

[crittergetter]

I'm not a metalurgist, but my first hobby is firearms. The twist barrels you speak of (shotgun) really weren't all that strong ,compared to todays standards. They were used for black powder pressures and was extremely corrosive.Hence the rustProperly cleaned and used with acceptable pressures there numerous "old firearms that still get used today.o I would say if you keep your damascus knife cleaned and maintained you'll have no proplem ....crittergetter

 

[Lavan]

Not true. A damascus shotgun barrel can go kaboom even at low pressures. Just depends on when it hits its limit. Only SAFE way to fire an old damascus shotgun is to install a thin steel liner. Lots of old guns have been lined. But I would NEVER advise shooting a raw damascus shotgun with ANY load.

 

[Daniel Koster]

considering that most layered damascus blades had 100+ layers of steel, they wouldn't just snap off over time.

All non-stainless-steel damascus will rust without proper care, whether new or old. So, yes, an old knife will have rust. But, because of the thin layering that rust is usually confined to the exposed surfaces. Interior failure is very, very rare.

 

[savantuk]

Hello chaps,

A lot really depends on the quality of the seel/steels used, the number of layers, and the expertise of the maker. I have a WW1 damascus theatre knife, which still has a brilliant edge, and very little corrosion.

Quality is the key!!

Regards,

Doug

 

[crittergetter]

I have seen damascus shotguns with liners also.wjhat I was told is that was for shooting low brass/low powered smokeless shells. As with any black powder firearm it should be to have it checked by a gunsmith that is knowledgeable about them.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Well made and properly maintained damascus will not have any problem with breaking due to excessive corrosion. If you look after your knives, you shouldn't lose any sleep over your damascus blades snapping off.