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Should I buy a Damascus Skyline?

CJZ

CJZ

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
3,746
Title says it all. Dave (kershawguy) is getting some, I pre ordered one with him. BladeHQ also has some. At the great price of about $52, you can get a Skyline in Damascus. But, I'm starting to rethink it.

Pros-

-It's just plain cool.
-I want to try Damascus
-Start of a Skyline collection (I also have a red and a blue)

Cons-

-Since they're readily available right now, I can't keep it as an investment, the price won't rise that much
-It probably won't get carried (I hate that) because of my two other Skylines
-I want to put the cash towards a Lion Steel SR-1


So what do you guys think? Help me make my decision.
 
It's hard to resist the Skyline collection! But seriously I would say go ahead and get one if you are on the fence. Once this run is done they won't be available for this price. You can always sell it and put the money towards the SR-1 later.
 
humblerodent said:
It's hard to resist the Skyline collection! But seriously I would say go ahead and get one if you are on the fence. Once this run is done they won't be available for this price. You can always sell it and put the money towards the SR-1 later.
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That's true. Thanks for your input! :)
 
I wish I could afford one, always wanted one but I'm broke for my last purchase :( If you can afford it, get it :thumbup:
 
I used to want one but I'm passing.
Skylines are cool but I won't use it
 
I would pass unless you're very committed to the skyline collection.

It won't perform any better, its not a nice pattern from a known damascus maker and you hate that it won't get carried, and I hate that too.
 
I'm not a Skyline person, at all. I just don't see the appeal of that particular knife. However, if you want it, you should buy it. There are enough people who collect Skylines that you'll be able to offload it later for at least what you paid for it.
 
Knives are a bad investment strategy, at least the way i've seen flippers play them out on here and other forums. The exception is unless you have some of the rare older Randall Made Knives, or pieces from master blade smiths that are still living or have since passed on.
I like the Damascus on these knives, it's called random pattern. The billets are made here in the states, from real steel. You will not find any car wheels, frying pan, or fence posts in this Damascus for one thing. I've used the one ai have from the first run, and I beg to differ that it will not perform better than say the 14C28N versions. The steel is completely different, and performance is different.
Nothing against Lionsteel, but the 3 (SR1 and varients) I've seen had some issues. I won't get into it here, but I'll pass on the SR1 for a while. Can't really compare a $55 knife with one that is 6 times that in price either.
 
I love mine. The steel is awesome looking for sure and takes a ridiculous edge that is easy to maintain. Superstar level edc available at a good price.
 
oharal said:
Alabama Damascus is well known to be good steel...Kershaw has been using it for a long time now.
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What I meant was it is mass produced, random cookie cutter pattern damascus. Its not a mosaic made by Thomas or Nichols.
 
evanPGH said:
What I meant was it is mass produced, random cookie cutter pattern damascus. Its not a mosaic made by Thomas or Nichols.
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Then it wouldn't cost $53 now would it? Regardless of the pattern, it's made from everything quality Damascus requires:

Material = (4) layers 5160, (3) layers 203E, (3) layers 52100, (3) layers 15N20 folded 5 times for 416 layer damascus

If you are looking for raindrop, ladder, herring bone, iguana, spirograph or other, then you need to look elsewhere. I'm pretty sure many of the same metals that go into the fancy damascus are also found in these from Kershaw. In addition, 52100 (ball bearing steel), 5160 (spring steel), and 15N20 (think bandsaw blades), and 203E (high impact steel) are some of the best materials to make Damascus from, in whatI've seen. YMMV.
 
RevDevil said:
Then it wouldn't cost $53 now would it? Regardless of the pattern, it's made from everything quality Damascus requires:

Material = (4) layers 5160, (3) layers 203E, (3) layers 52100, (3) layers 15N20 folded 5 times for 416 layer damascus

If you are looking for raindrop, ladder, herring bone, iguana, spirograph or other, then you need to look elsewhere. I'm pretty sure many of the same metals that go into the fancy damascus are also found in these from Kershaw. In addition, 52100 (ball bearing steel), 5160 (spring steel), and 15N20 (think bandsaw blades), and 203E (high impact steel) are some of the best materials to make Damascus from, in whatI've seen. YMMV.
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No, it wouldn't.

The OP asked if he should buy one...I view knives that use inexpensive, random pattern steel as damascus just for the sake of being damascus.

It gives zero performance benefit and it doesn't have the eye appeal of its pricier counterparts.

Based on that, no, I would not buy one. Especially if I were saving up for something else.
 
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evanPGH said:
No, it wouldn't.

The OP asked if he should buy one...I view knives that use inexpensive, random pattern steel as damascus just for the sake of being damascus.

It gives zero performance benefit in my opinion and it doesn't have the eye appeal of its pricier counterparts.

Based on that, no, I would not buy one. Especially if I were saving up for something else.
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It's not really going to be an EDC, but a collector's piece. It's too purty to use. I do like using Skylines though. That's why I have my red stonewash Skyline.

But even if it does get carried, if the Damascus performs similarly to 14C28N then I'll be a happy camper.
 
CJZ said:
It's not really going to be an EDC, but a collector's piece. It's too purty to use. I do like using Skylines though. That's why I have my red stonewash Skyline.

But even if it does get carried, if the Damascus performs similarly to 14C28N then I'll be a happy camper.
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Oh yeah don't get me wrong, ive used and carried damascus knives and they perform just fine.

Some people think that damascus is a super steel which is obviously not the case.

If you don't have a damascus piece and have been wanting one it'll be a nice intro. I just wanted to contribute my opinion on the matter so you can consider as many points of view as possible.
 
CJZ said:
Title says it all. Dave (kershawguy) is getting some, I pre ordered one with him. BladeHQ also has some. At the great price of about $52, you can get a Skyline in Damascus. But, I'm starting to rethink it.

Pros-

-It's just plain cool.
-I want to try Damascus
-Start of a Skyline collection (I also have a red and a blue)

Cons-

-Since they're readily available right now, I can't keep it as an investment, the price won't rise that much
-It probably won't get carried (I hate that) because of my two other Skylines
-I want to put the cash towards a Lion Steel SR-1


So what do you guys think? Help me make my decision.
Click to expand...

Let me ask you a question - which do you REALLY want? The Damascus Skyline now (even though you already have 2 others) and a longer wait for the Lion Steel or get the Lion Steel sooner? Are you more interested in variety or starting a Skyline collection? The answer to those questions will tell you what to do.

I've got one ordered but that is primarily because I don't own a Skyline and have wanted one for awhile. Good luck on your decision. :)
 
evanPGH said:
No, it wouldn't.

The OP asked if he should buy one...I view knives that use inexpensive, random pattern steel as damascus just for the sake of being damascus.

It gives zero performance benefit and it doesn't have the eye appeal of its pricier counterparts.

Based on that, no, I would not buy one. Especially if I were saving up for something else.
Click to expand...

The merits or lack thereof can be the topic of an entirely new thread. I didn't mention anywhere that it was a super steel, but if you don't believe that the steels mentioned above can out perform 14C28N, I won't spend anymore time trying to explain it to you. You said it right, opinions.
 
SaintlyBrees said:
Let me ask you a question - which do you REALLY want? The Damascus Skyline now (even though you already have 2 others) and a longer wait for the Lion Steel or get the Lion Steel sooner? Are you more interested in variety or starting a Skyline collection? The answer to those questions will tell you what to do.

I've got one ordered but that is primarily because I don't own a Skyline and have wanted one for awhile. Good luck on your decision. :)
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I don't know. I've just been told privately by a few guys that Lion Steel has some fit and finish issues that they need to straighten out. I'm probably just going to get the Skyline, the Lion Steel will probably still be around when I have the cash :)
 
CJZ said:
I don't know. I've just been told privately by a few guys that Lion Steel has some fit and finish issues that they need to straighten out. I'm probably just going to get the Skyline, the Lion Steel will probably still be around when I have the cash :)
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That actually sounds like you do know what you want to do. And you're right. The Lion Steel will likely still be there (if not the exact model you have in mind, then a similar one) and that way you get both the Skyline and the Lion Steel. Seems to me to be a smart way to look at the situation. :thumbup:
 
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