New Mnandi

biggerjon

biggerjon

Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
1,973
I just bought a new Mnandi, don't worry I will post pics. :)

The website where I bought it (very well known) said it had stainless ladder damascus. I received it today and it has B & W Ladder Damascus. Is this damascus stainless? Nowhere on the b-day card does it say stainless.

If it is not stainless, what do I have to do to keep it from rusting? Thanks. :D
 
I just answered my own question. from CRK website... "In order to manage our damascus orders, at this time, we offer Raindrop, Ladder and Spirograph in high contrast (black and white etch). Periodically, we do have stainless damascus - please call for availability."

:( oh well.

So is this 1095 /nickel combo decent for edge retention? Anything special I should know?

Thanks again. :)
 
From the Chris Reeve website: http://www.chrisreeve.com/damascus.htm

For any non-stainless steel, cleaning is the best way to prevent corrosion. Wipe it down when you can, wash it off if you use the blade for sticky work, and rubbing it lightly with oil afterwards will keep it rust-free.

What oil? Almost any, but I like (food-grade) mineral oil, available cheaply at any pharmacy. vegetable oils like olive oil can become rancid.

Edit: You found the website! :)
I suggest you check with the dealer. Maybe you have stainless ladder damascus as he said?

Note: High carbon steels do rust more easily, but they also sharpen up well and take impact well, also.
 
thank you very much for the reply.

hmm, mineral oil. i can do that. wouldn't the natural oils from my hand do the same thing though? just a thought.
 
The natural oils from your hand are one of the best ways to induce rust. :)

Check out how assiduously the knifemakers at shows wipe down blades handled by customers: oils from the hands and moisture from their breath will corrode the metal. Touching a blade will leave fingerprints. I keep a chamois handy for rubbing blades clean.
 
oh great! lol

thank you very much for the replies. one more question though. how often should i oil the blade? weekly, monthly? it is kind of hard to not touch the blade, since the mnandi does not come with a thumb stud, quite the quandary. :)
 
Oil it whenever you feel like it. As time goes by, you'll get more comfortable about it, and won't worry so much.

I have a set of a carbon steel puukko and leuku in one leather sheath, hanging in my kitchen. Definitely at risk of rust. I rarely oil them, and have never had a problem. As soon as I've finished using them, I rinse them off, wipe them down, and let them air-dry before putting them away.

Wiping the blade down is more important than anything else to keep it clean and rust-free.
 
It should be coated, keeping it lightly oiled is good insurance but not really needed. If you plan on cutting cardboard with it, the coating will get rub marks in it. Much like a black blade would.

I have used both kinds of Damascus CRK offers, and IMO the stainless is much better. I have cut a ton of cardboard with the stainless Damascus, and you would never know it. (because its not coated) Not so with the non stainless, one cardboard box and I put a big rub mark on the face.

Just something to consider.
 
Last edited:
I emailed heather at crk and this was her reply...

Congratulations on your purchase. B/W is not stainless. If the knife is a
newer one, then we used clear coat on the blade and it makes it as durable
as stainless damascus. If it is an older one and does not have the clear
coat, then you will need to be very careful about acid from fingers,
anything acidic and just about everything else. After using or touching the
knife you'll need to wipe it down with a bit of rust inhibiting grease. I
know we just sold some Mnandi's with B/W damascus so hopefully yours was one
of those and the blade was clear coated. Let me know if you have any other
questions.

this is some big news!
 
I will post pics of what one cardboard box did to my coated blade a little later in the day.

I to was told by CRK my Dama blade was stainless, and it was not. (i even bought the blade from them! :eek: ) Also had about three other things that were not cool with their customer service. Maybe its just me, but they have messed up everytime I have had to use them. :grumpy:
 
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