Some good EDC Damascus

DrRollinstein

DrRollinstein

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I've always loved damascus blades, even owned a few. But now i'd really like to actually carry one, only major requirement being that it cost under 200 bucks. I know a lot of the pricier ones, such as CRK, but i'd hate life if i ever lost one of that caliber. So keeping it somewhat cheap.

Suggestions?
 
When my friend's ex-fiance said that he LOVED damascus but also loved his wallet, I suggested that he look at the Kershaw (skyline/leek) and Spyderco (delica/endura) lineup in terms of damascus.

IMO I wouldn't be comfortable using these intricate pieces of art. I am very interested in seeing what you would get, because I don't really know what a good budget damascus option would be
 
You don't need to look much further than Mcusta at your price point.
The Tactility is a great knife with a reversible pocket clip, and there are a few other smaller models with no clip if that's your style.
It's important that the damascus in your pocket folder be stainless.
If not it will rust in a sweaty pocket if it isn't oiled regularly.
I got a little lazy and ruined an expensive one. :(
 
A nice small fixed-blade Damascus knife is the ESEE Izula; mine wears TKC handles that fit my large hands nice and compliment the Damascus.
 
Barman1 said:
You don't need to look much further than Mcusta at your price point.
The Tactility is a great knife with a reversible pocket clip, and there are a few other smaller models with no clip if that's your style.
It's important that the damascus in your pocket folder be stainless.
If not it will rust in a sweaty pocket if it isn't oiled regularly.
I got a little lazy and ruined an expensive one. :(
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I literally just discovered that exact knife last night as i was looking around. Definitely one of my next purchases.


Swampdog said:
A nice small fixed-blade Damascus knife is the ESEE Izula; mine wears TKC handles that fit my large hands nice and compliment the Damascus.
Click to expand...
Ill look into this too. I dont carry a fixed blade every day, but enough to justify buying another.
 
DrRollinstein said:
I literally just discovered that exact knife last night as i was looking around. Definitely one of my next purchases.
Mcusta does a fixed blade called the Slim Line that would make for a nice matched pair of damascus edc.


Ill look into this too. I dont carry a fixed blade every day, but enough to justify buying another.
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I really like the FRN Damascus delica. I wouldn’t feel bad using it. I also like the stainless steel handle Damascus delica/ Endura as well.
 
I have several Damascus blades in my collection. Couple of Boker's, one is a fixed blade, "the Noblesse", the other, "the Senior" is a folder. Also have a Kubey.

But I think something you might like is this one from Zhen. 67 layer Damascus. Costs about a C note. Nice little gentleman's folder.

Zhen_67_layer_damascus.jpg
 
I got a friend the Ti scale/damascus Endura as a gift. Nice looking, thin grind and very sharp. It was under $200 when I got it for him. I know they have a couple other models with damascus, and you can find different handle materials.

The Mcusta stuff seems nice, just not my thing.
 
The Mcusta stuff is not really damascus. It's more like San Mai, a core of VG-10, but with 16 forge welded layers of a softer stainless alloy on each side(for a total of 33 layers) to give it strength, instead of the usual single outer layer on typical SM blades. But, before anyone thinks I am flaming Mcusta, NOTHING could be further from the truth! I LIKE THIS STUFF!!!
 
justjed said:
The Mcusta stuff is not really damascus. It's more like San Mai, a core of VG-10, but with 16 forge welded layers of a softer stainless alloy on each side(for a total of 33 layers) to give it strength, instead of the usual single outer layer on typical SM blades. But, before anyone thinks I am flaming Mcusta, NOTHING could be further from the truth! I LIKE THIS STUFF!!!
Click to expand...

I'd argue that san mai with a single-steel core is superior to regular damascus. Most mass produced damascus either doesn't say which steel alloys it contains (so you have to assume the worst), or contains relatively weak alloys. The PMC27 in Damasteel doesn't look particularly good, spec-wise. Plus, heat treats will need to be compromised to work well with all the included alloys, rather than optimized for any specific one. I always saw damascus more as decorative than anything else.
 
My first choice for EDC damascus would be Kershaw.

They have done a decent selection of their line up in Damascus and I like Kershaw knives for the price point. Damascus Blur, Leek, or Shallot would be my choice if I were in the market.

Second choice would be CRK...
 
I also think that San Mai, done right, is better than 'MOST' regular damascus. I've seen some damascus that looks really good, but won't hold a decent edge for more than 3 or 4 seconds if you actually use it. And some that didn't really look that good, but would cut, and cut, and cut! With damascus, ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chances. Mcusta's San Mai/damascus is really good stuff, IF you like VG-10, as that is the steel that does the actual cutting.
 
I have several Damascus blades, including folders, fixed, and kitchen knives. With regular care they work very well. I recommend Phillip Patton if you want a Damascus custom with a very reasonable price point.
 
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