Thinking about a Damascus - Got it!

[Accelerator]

I’ve recently been bitten by the CRK Damascus bug. I’ve been seriously considering picking up a 21 with Devin Thomas’s ladder Damascus before they are gone and I’m relegated to searching the secondary market not knowing when one might pop up. This won’t be a collector piece, but rather will be going into my work rotation.

Anyway, I’ve been searching through the old threads for a while now learning about the performance of these blades. From what I can tell, they’re mostly on par edge wise with S35VN and S30 from what most people have said. The etching can fade over time, but CRK can re-etch it at the spa. Patterns are mostly subjective and can vary from knife to knife, but the consensus seems to be the Thomas steel is preferred over the Nichols steel, again subjective.

So, am I pretty much up to speed, or is there more I need to know or something that I’m missing? I’m both intrigued and excited about possibly owning one of these and wanted to know others thoughts and experiences.

 

[biggerjon]

It Sounds like you hit the naiI on the head.

 

[Dcdavis]

I really can’t add much to what you already know other than they do scratch and show wear along with the fading.
As far as the Ladder pattern goes I do prefer Thomas over Nichols. The Nichols raindrop is also nice. I don’t mind the scratches at all

 

[Ajack60]

You'll be up to speed once you own one

Since D.T. retired and no longer makes Damascus, it won't be long before it's all from CN. Mostly, it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[x20]

The new boomerang pattern on the 31s have replaced ladder as my favorite among the standard options.

 

[XL883N]

What makes Thomas' Damascus more desirable?

 

[KrisNZ]

Do it!, you wont regret it, just got a Mnandi in CN Raindrop, love it,

But I've since polished all the etch off, and lt looks way better,

 

[BD_01]

I’ve recently been bitten by the CRK Damascus bug. I’ve been seriously considering picking up a 21 with Devin Thomas’s ladder Damascus before they are gone...

Ditto, but I favor the basketweave.

I’m only held back by the fact that it probably wouldn’t see much carry; not because I’m afraid to dork it up, but because I struggle to rotate through the knives I already own.

 

[Accelerator]

Thanks all for chiming in. It doesn’t sound like there are any surprises other than opening the box for the first time. I appreciate all the comments and now all is left is to execute the purchase and wait.

 

[Ajack60]

What makes Thomas' Damascus more desirable?

IMO, DT ladder is a more defined pattern. The older DT raindrop had a tight pattern, then it changed to a random pattern that most folks didn’t care for. But, it was unique in that the raindrop was all over the place making each knife a tad bit different.
CN raindrop looks very close to the older DT raindrop

 

[Alsharif]

Can you send in a 21 damascus for a re-etch? From what I gather, once a product is discontinued, it limits what CRK can do with the knife.

I’ve been eyeing a basketweave 21 but I’m unsure about support/care for discontinued CRKs.

 

[Ajack60]

Can you send in a 21 damascus for a re-etch? From what I gather, once a product is discontinued, it limits what CRK can do with the knife.

I’ve been eyeing a basketweave 21 but I’m unsure about support/care for discontinued CRKs.

Yes, they will do a re etch, it’s a one time deal. They won’t do it more than once though.

 

[Accelerator]

Fellas, purchase executed this evening. Thanks for all of the input, now the waiting begins. Will post pics when it arrives, but to let everyone know, it’s a KnifeArt exclusive drop point Carbon Fiber Sebenza 21. Very excited. 1 more 21 before they’re gone!

 

[Accelerator]

Wow, 2 left in stock when I ordered mine at approximately 8:30 pm EST. As of 10 pm none left in stock. I’m glad I pulled the trigger when I did.

 

[BD_01]

Wow, 2 left in stock when I ordered mine at approximately 8:30 pm EST. As of 10 pm none left in stock. I’m glad I pulled the trigger when I did.

I was kinda thinking about one of those....oh well, one less temptation in my life, I guess.

Congrats on an awesome knife. I love my KA Inkosi.

 

[bart1]

There is not a bad Damascus pattern, it's all subjective...hope you viewed the EXACT knife you were getting... Carried them all, and X20 I'm with you on Boomerang.... for now!

 

[XL883N]

IMO, DT ladder is a more defined pattern. The older DT raindrop had a tight pattern, then it changed to a random pattern that most folks didn’t care for. But, it was unique in that the raindrop was all over the place making each knife a tad bit different.
CN raindrop looks very close to the older DT raindrop

Thanks for that. This is my CN from February 2020. I love the thumbstud side but don't like the back side much. What are your thoughts on it? I don't get offended.

https://imgur.com/a/iUaUcp3

 

[Steel_Addiction]

Thanks for that. This is my CN from February 2020. I love the thumbstud side but don't like the back side much. What are your thoughts on it? I don't get offended.

https://imgur.com/a/iUaUcp3

Both sides look real nice but that presentation side is top-notch for sure.

 

[Accelerator]

Both sides look real nice but that presentation side is top-notch for sure.

Agreed. That show side is stunning, but other side is no slouch either. Truthfully, it makes it quite a unique blade which in itself I would consider to be very special. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dcdavis]

Thanks for that. This is my CN from February 2020. I love the thumbstud side but don't like the back side much. What are your thoughts on it? I don't get offended.

https://imgur.com/a/iUaUcp3

I’ve got a CN raindrop from 12/19. It has somewhat of two different patterns on each side of the blade. I don’t pay any attention to it anymore. Your show side would be my personal choice tho.