New Steel Analysis – Damasteel N11X and Damacore DC18N

Larrin

Larrin

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Jan 17, 2004
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In this article I discuss the new Damasteel product Damacore DC18N along with its core steel N11X. This has been my first chance to do an "early analysis" on a new product. Hopefully these companies start coming out with more stuff so I can provide my quick take. I talked about what N11X is, and what its expected performance is relative to the typical Damasteel DS93X made up of RWL34 and PMC27.

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2018/10/15/damasteel-n11x-and-damacore-dc18n/
 
It's interesting indeed. They wanted a steel that would be better edge retention ie vanax but also look good and easy to grind and mirror the surface ie RWL34 and PMC27

Its for art knives because buyers this day and age want the value of the steel to be higher for there customs. RWL34 in alot of buyers eyes is not idea value. Being that it's edge retention is lower than m390.

This is good news though. As this is fairly unique and something new. I bet it's expensive. I think it's a conundrum of sorts cause these are safe knives, investments or man jewelry but every now and then someone uses them. But indeed I don't see any $1000+ these days in 440c. So it appeals to buyers in this current marketplace with m390 being king or premium or whatever these knife nuts call it.
 
Great article as usual, Larrin. That was a pretty dagger blade you showed for your last picture. That must be some pretty expensive steel!
 
Mo2 said:
It's interesting indeed. They wanted a steel that would be better edge retention ie vanax but also look good and easy to grind and mirror the surface ie RWL34 and PMC27

Its for art knives because buyers this day and age want the value of the steel to be higher for there customs. RWL34 in alot of buyers eyes is not idea value. Being that it's edge retention is lower than m390.

This is good news though. As this is fairly unique and something new. I bet it's expensive. I think it's a conundrum of sorts cause these are safe knives, investments or man jewelry but every now and then someone uses them. But indeed I don't see any $1000+ these days in 440c. So it appeals to buyers in this current marketplace with m390 being king or premium or whatever these knife nuts call it.
Click to expand...
It can be tough to predict what such a high end market wants. I never thought of RWL34 as a downgrade, especially with the high popularity of CPM-154. I guess others might think differently.
 
DS93X heat treated by Yanhook in Russia at 63hrc seems to cut as well as m390 from mass produced knives.

adding vanax to that equation is probably going to be even better.

enable subtitles and select auto translate, then select English. does an okay job translating but i assume they will have native english subs in a month or two
 
another great topic. learned a whole bunch as usual. thanks again Sir.
 
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