Question about thumb wear on damascus?

[mitchnola]

I’ve noticed this on a few folding knives with Damascus. A cloudy area develops from the thumb contacting the blade when opening. Is there any way to prevent this? Thanks to all for any help!

 

[The Zieg]

I’ve noticed this on a few folding knives with Damascus. A cloudy area develops from the thumb contacting the blade when opening. Is there any way to prevent this? Thanks to all for any help!

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The only way to prevent it in my experience is to coat (or renew the coating already on it) with a kind of acrylic or polymer substance. My only damascus is from Dawson Knives of Prescott Valley AZ. It came with a very dark etch similar to your blade and in a short time of regular daily (admittedly hard) use it began to lose the black highlights (Can highlights be black? Well, you know what I mean .). Over time the thin polymer coat wore away and it faded to a very subtle pattern. I rather like it now, but it is not the show piece it once was. Probably not the answer you wanted, but it might be the future of your knife (at least where your thumb contacts it, anyway).

Before:

After:

Now:

 

[J. Doyle]

Patterns with a tighter layer count, i.e. less open spaces between the layers are MUCH more resistant to this.

On more open patterns, you're going to deal with this if it's a user. Lemon juice or vinegar on a cotton ball will darken an area if it's carbon steel, which can then be polished lightly to even it out a bit.

But it will most likely never look like brand new without a complete blade refinish. Which is not something most makers are going to do for free as it's considered normal wear & tear.

 

[mitchnola]

The only way to prevent it in my experience is to coat (or renew the coating already on it) with a kind of acrylic or polymer substance. My only damascus is from Dawson Knives of Prescott Valley AZ. It came with a very dark etch similar to your blade and in a short time of regular daily (admittedly hard) use it began to lose the black highlights (Can highlights be black? Well, you know what I mean .). Over time the thin polymer coat wore away and it faded to a very subtle pattern. I rather like it now, but it is not the show piece it once was. Probably not the answer you wanted, but it might be the future of your knife (at least where your thumb contacts it, anyway).

Before:

After:

Now:

Patterns with a tighter layer count, i.e. less open spaces between the layers are MUCH more resistant to this.

On more open patterns, you're going to deal with this if it's a user. Lemon juice or vinegar on a cotton ball will darken an area if it's carbon steel, which can then be polished lightly to even it out a bit.

But it will most likely never look like brand new without a complete blade refinish. Which is not something most makers are going to do for free as it's considered normal wear & tear.

Thanks for the info guys. I kind of figured there was really no way around it. I’ve been keeping it oiled with mineral oil and have tried different ways of opening with the studs but no matter how I open it my thumb eventually comes in contact with the blade. Guess I’ll just chalk it up to “character”.

 

[Taz]

Ferric Chloride can re etch the damascus when the oxides have worn off. Dilute it around 4 parts water to 1 part acid, degrease the blade fully (hot water and Dawn soap work great!) and dunk it in the acid for a while.

 

[J. Doyle]

Ferric Chloride can re etch the damascus when the oxides have worn off. Dilute it around 4 parts water to 1 part acid, degrease the blade fully (hot water and Dawn soap work great!) and dunk it in the acid for a while.

That's going to leave a sharp, hard line where the blade goes in the solution and will look as bad (or worse in my opinion) than the wear.

It still won't look like new unless the blade is taken out, cleaned thoroughly, masked off so the important action parts aren't etched and completely refinished.

That's a lot more involved than most users are going to be able to tackle. Heck, some makers still can't get that part right.

 

[mitchnola]

I’ve done some research and talked to the knife maker and Damascus maker. The blade was etched in coffee. I was told I could re etch anytime. I’ve looked into it and etching with coffee isn’t too bad, considerably easier than with the acid.

I was also recommended to try axe wax. It dries hard and may help. I have some on the way.