Kinda disappointed with my Thuya Burl Damascus: school/sell me on Macassar Ebony

OhioApexing

OhioApexing

Sharpener
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As you all are painfully aware, I have been searching for a picturesque Thuya/Damascus combo for a while now and I finally ordered one over the weekend. It arrived today, but when I opened it, I was slightly underwhelmed. It didn't have many of the varied hues and glossy/shiny finish that I was hoping for. I was hoping that it would be more striking in person than in the store's pics. It looks more of a nutty coffee brown than red.

Plus, the Chad Nichols Raindrop seems to want to "disappear" into a grey blur really easily. I took it outside and I almost had to fight to see the pattern in the sunlight. I thought that tighter Nichols pattern would produce a better contrast, but I'm think it may be the opposite. In sum, I probably would have passed it over if I had seen it in a display case.

Conversely, I keep sitting it down, doing something else for an hour or so and picking it up -- and its kinda growing on me. The different colors seem to pop at different angles and in different lights. I'm on the fence about sending it back. Additionally, CRK isn't going to be shipping any more Thuya inlays anytime soon.

ANYHOW, I never paid much attention to Macassar Ebony in my previous search, mostly because I thought it just looked like a plain black wood similar to Bog Oak (no offense to any of you Bog Oak folks... it just isn't my cup of tea). However, when looking at possible knives to exchange, I noticed a few that had some pretty interesting color variations. Some that fade from blonde, to red, down to a deep black. Some that have just a random yellow flare amidst a deep midnight backdrop.

So for those of you that have Macassar, what does it look like in person? What do you like about it? Do you polish it or wax it much? Give me some background. I know that Thuya is essentially an endangered wood and getting harder to find all the time. What can you tell me about Macassar?
 
First off you should only buy from a site that ships you the exact knife you are looking IMO. CRK for instance, has a 6 month wait for say their $800 CN Raindrop Box Elder. You don't get to choose the grain from them. You get whatever CRK sends you after waiting like 6 months I bought off an authorized dealer on Ebay for the same $800, but I had 3 or 4 to choose from. Each unit is numbered or lettered as to the one "you" pick and that is the one they are shipping you along with a 14 day exchange policy.
There are several other authorized dealers that are members here and allow you to choose your exact knife.

I found the same issue as you did as to the disappearing etching on both DT and CN. Someday maybe they will use Damasteel and then I'll re-sell what I have now and buy that new model. For now this CN isn't as bad etching wise as the first one I had and then re-sold. I think some have said its the depth of the etching that makes the pattern stand out or pop. I don't know why CRK chooses to uses that blurry grey background. There are other brands that use DT and CN Damasteel and their designs really pop. There have been recent threads here and pic samples as to your complaint.
 
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expidia1 said:
First off you should only buy from a site that ships you the exact knife you are looking IMO... There are several other authorized dealers that are members here and allow you to choose your exact knife.

I found the same issue as you did as to the disappearing etching on both DT and CN... There have been recent threads here and pic samples as to your complaint.
Click to expand...

I purchased from a site that allowed me to view the individual knife. Undoubtedly, the knife was exactly the one I added to cart, but it didn't look as good in person as it did in the photos. The use of ideal lighting and an expensive camera (and quite possibly a photo filter) really made it look a lot better than it was. To be clear, I'm not at all attempting to say this retailer was in the wrong here -- of course you would want to make the products you sell look as good as possible. They've also been very, very helpful in assisting me with the return should I decide to do so. They even emailed CRK for me to ask a question. I think a straight-on smartphone photo in natural lighting would have been more accurate.

Second, because I've seen so few CRK Damascus blades, I wonder if ladder, basketweave, or DT raindrop tend to have a better contrast than my CN raindrop? I would love to find a 21 with a blade like this Box Elder 21 with the Norris Ladder Damascus:
 
I think that most every Damascus is crafted by hand and with that you get varied results. Add to that machining through the pattern and then etching and polishing before the final result is visible. I am thinking you will never find what you have in your mind or it may take physically examining dozens to even more before finding the one in your mind's eye. For me, Damascus is unique and individual and with maybe 10 in my collection they all have something different to offer. However, there are still some with an amazing pattern on one side, but then you turn it over and see something not so stunning, like a blurry area.

Macassar Ebony is also known as Zebra wood. It's a very hard wood and great for CRK inlays. I always look for specimens that have bright patterns with good contrast. Like any natural material there will be some that are nearly solid in color and others with excellent patterns. It has a smooth finish that feels completely different than Thuya. It's more like super tight-grain hardwood. As others have noted, you need time on the computer to look at individual photos before clicking the buy button.

Here is one I purchased this year

40580393381_c0df92262a_b.jpg
 
How about the bog oak inlays? They look pretty classy but I wonder if the photos make them look darker than they really are. If you could get them almost black it would be great.
 
We know CRK can make Damascus pop if they wanted too. Check out these samples below that a member posted... I dont know if these are Damasteel or Damascus but to me they are just Gorgeous. How would these blades look on a Macassar Ebony handles?
Im not a fan of Thuya Wood as for me not enough grain or character although I’m sure the member Lone Wolf probably has some stunning examples in her collection.
Good to hear you bought from a site that you get to pick your exact knife.
I’ve read a light rubbing with gun oil will make the Damascus etching stand out more so I’m sure the sellers can make them pop especially with a 45 degree angle pic looking dead on. Your post was on the money as to a seller can make a knife look better in pics which is not to say they are trying to pull a fast one. If you were posting a pic of yourself on say match.com wouldnt you show a great pic of yourself?
As suggested above please post a pic of your new knife.

IMG_7713.jpeg

Here are two more examples of Damascus knives I recently I re-sold. My complaint with some of CRK's Damascas is if they can make the Mnandi look this great (re-sold as I realized I'm not a Mnandi fan) but look at the CN Raindrop above the Mnandi. A very sad example of CN Raindrop. Thankfully, my latest CN version is not as bad as that one I re-sold or I would have sent it back to the dealer the same day I received it.

IMG_6406.jpg
 
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This is a mnandi I have in Macassar Ebony. This one seems to have a very good contrast and irregular figuring that I like in my wood inlays. The wood itself has proven to be durable. At some point I polished it with Renwax but haven't done it again and it looks fine. It's in my carry rotation so not a safe queen although I typically have it in a leather sheath or my shirt pocket. 37782774_10155386541401734_8104417251043573760_n.jpg
 
Darkera said:
How about the bog oak inlays? They look pretty classy but I wonder if the photos make them look darker than they really are. If you could get them almost black it would be great.
Click to expand...

Bog Oak is one of my favorite woods because of its unique grain structures and color. I like the more brown colors but have seen some that are closer to black.
I haven't seen any that are almost all black due to the grain structure though. If you're looking for a straight black wood inlay there are a few retailers with some dark Gabon Ebony left.

Macassar Ebony is a really nice looking wood, especially on the Mnandi examples in this thread.
 
blanco112 said:
This is a mnandi I have in Macassar Ebony. This one seems to have a very good contrast and irregular figuring that I like in my wood inlays. The wood itself has proven to be durable. At some point I polished it with Renwax but haven't done it again and it looks fine. It's in my carry rotation so not a safe queen although I typically have it in a leather sheath or my shirt pocket. View attachment 953519
Click to expand...

That was the first really nice Macassar I saw when they started getting the better wood, and still one of my favorites.
 
Darkera said:
Do you know if/when they will be introducing new inlays?
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Striped Platan was new for this year replacing Thuya. The rotation for new woods is not regular like it is for CGG. I know that Tim was doing some survey on the current woods so maybe something new is on the horizon but not sure. Then there are special one offs like PME and Koa.
 
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The Striped Platans are starting to show up at retailers and they look really nice. Can't wait to see what they look like with damascus blades.
 
You can gloss up the finish of the Thuya with Ren Wax. That'll also bring out the color some.
 
This is Macassar at an older 21. Birthdate is Februar 2012. Somewhere in that area Macassar was discontinued as an inlay material.

21, Macassar, Spirograph, 04 by Jedi, auf Flickr

21, Macassar, Spirograph, 10 by Jedi, auf Flickr

In 2016 they did a major swap of wood inlays. Out of Box Elder Burl, Gabon Ebony, Bocote, Cocobolo and Snakewood, only Box Elder Burl "survived". The other 4 were replaced by Spalted Beech, Thuya, Bog Oak and ..... back again Macassar.

This is a comparison between Gabon Ebony (left) and Macassar (right):

21, Macassar, Spirograph, 19 by Jedi, auf Flickr

Bog Oak is a fantastic inlay wood and the story behind it makes it very special. Almost like mammoth.

21, Bog Oak, Basket Weave, 03 by Jedi, auf Flickr

21, Bog Oak, Basket Weave, 05 by Jedi, auf Flickr

Comparison Gabon Ebony (left) and Bog Oak (right):

21, Bog Oak, Basket Weave, 08 by Jedi, auf Flickr

In general, all wood inlays can appear to be at the darker or at the brighter side, which usually goes together with the color appearance. Gabon Ebony, Bog Oak and even Macassar can be more into the direction of black or being more brownish. Cocobolo can be dark "wine" red or more into orange. Similiar w. box elder, from more pale, yellow till darker, orange type of color. Therefore it is extremely difficult to make general statements like "Gabon Ebony is usually kinda black" and things like that. The grain and the structure of the wood influences the optical appearance too.
 
James Longstreet said:
This is Macassar at an older 21. Birthdate is Februar 2012. Somewhere in that area Macassar was discontinued as an inlay material.

21, Macassar, Spirograph, 04 by Jedi, auf Flickr

21, Macassar, Spirograph, 10 by Jedi, auf Flickr

In 2016 they did a major swap of wood inlays. Out of Box Elder Burl, Gabon Ebony, Bocote, Cocobolo and Snakewood, only Box Elder Burl "survived". The other 4 were replaced by Spalted Beech, Thuya, Bog Oak and ..... back again Macassar.

This is a comparison between Gabon Ebony (left) and Macassar (right):

21, Macassar, Spirograph, 19 by Jedi, auf Flickr

Bog Oak is a fantastic inlay wood and the story behind it makes it very special. Almost like mammoth.

21, Bog Oak, Basket Weave, 03 by Jedi, auf Flickr

21, Bog Oak, Basket Weave, 05 by Jedi, auf Flickr

Comparison Gabon Ebony (left) and Bog Oak (right):

21, Bog Oak, Basket Weave, 08 by Jedi, auf Flickr

In general, all wood inlays can appear to be at the darker or at the brighter side, which usually goes together with the color appearance. Gabon Ebony, Bog Oak and even Macassar can be more into the direction of black or being more brownish. Cocobolo can be dark "wine" red or more into orange. Similiar w. box elder, from more pale, yellow till darker, orange type of color. Therefore it is extremely difficult to make general statements like "Gabon Ebony is usually kinda black" and things like that. The grain and the structure of the wood influences the optical appearance too.
Click to expand...

I always luv reading your posts James. So informative and enlightening, especially along with pics. Thanks.

Now I only need to locate a large Seb 21 in Dark Gabon Ebony in a Raindrop Damascus or a plain blade.

Update: Yatzee... I just picked up a “Bog Oak” CN large 21 Damascus born Feb/2018 just a few minutes ago.

I’d still like to find a Gabon Ebony though.
 
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