Twist Damasteel

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
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How good is Twist Damasteel ? Does it hold an edge well ? Is it corrosion resistant ? What's the closest "normal" blade steel that it can be compared to ? Is it stainless ?
 
Check out post 12 on >>this thread<<. Des Horn is the South African agent for Damasteel and many of our local makers use it a lot. It is excellent clean steel and correctly heat treated, just brilliant. Remember that one half of Dama is RWL-34.

Just a quick comment on the twist&#8230;&#8230;.ERA used to make a nice tight twist which was really stunning on smaller knives and folders. They have changed the twist pattern somewhat going to a looser twist. Still nice but not as attractive.

Feel free to PM me if I can help in any way.:)

Some of mine&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.

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It gives good edge retention on a level that makes it very practical for carry. It doesn't give edge retention that almost defies physics like M390 or S110V, but I think it is at least as-good as very good 154CM and ATS-34 from my own usage. While I have not used it enough on folders hard enough to speak to toughness there, I have a Benchmade pen in the damascus and at least on the pen it is tough as nails. It resists damage better than the aluminum and stainless model pens I have. I would not hesitate to use it for general every day usage, provided the additional care is not a problem.
 
It gives good edge retention on a level that makes it very practical for carry. It doesn't give edge retention that almost defies physics like M390 or S110V, but I think it is at least as-good as very good 154CM and ATS-34 from my own usage. While I have not used it enough on folders hard enough to speak to toughness there, I have a Benchmade pen in the damascus and at least on the pen it is tough as nails. It resists damage better than the aluminum and stainless model pens I have. I would not hesitate to use it for general every day usage, provided the additional care is not a problem.

Additional care ? What do you mean ?
 
Additional care ? What do you mean ?

While damasteel has dramatically improved corrosion resistance over most traditional damascus steels and uses two stainless steels with a high chromium content known for good corrosion resistance, I still think any folded/patterned steel should be given a little more attention to care for cosmetic longevity. I generally treat my patterned steels with a protectant where as a steel like CPM-S30V or ELMAX I tend to abuse more in regards to something like not wiping off citrus quite as quickly or vigilantly, and using aggressive polishes on or taking an abrasive pad to it in order to scratch it heavily or dropping it into a bucket with a bunch of pebbles to stonewash it. I think that a little more attention to any folded steel will keep the blade looking in better cosmetic condition and best maintain the contrast between the two steels.

Part of that reason is because I don't think you could stonewash a damascus blade and have it look very good, which is my default DIY finish for a knife blade that sees usage that cosmetically damages a factory finish. I'd also hesitate to take a strong abrasive to it on combination with a Dremel and buffing pad.
 
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