Ugly Damascus

Mark J

Mark J

Joined
Mar 15, 2001
Messages
2,450
I've noticed when I get a SMKW catalog that there are a number of companies that have what I consider to be really ugly damascus. Some of the companies are lesser known discount knife operations, but some are highly regarded manufacturers. Examples include Kershaw, Bear, Remington, Fox-n-Hound, Marbles, and Shrade. Is it just me or is some of this damascus really ugly? Perhaps I've just been spoiled with seeing some really nice damascus by the custom makers here on BF and makers such as Devin Thomas and Mike Norris. Thoughts?

- Mark

BRBK02D.jpg


KS1620DRD.jpg


MA520.jpg
 
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I think the Bear Cutlery damascus is especially ugly. Way too dark and un-graceful.
 
is it the Damascus or the etch you dont like?
I think that the chive Damascus is not bad its just the blade is too small, for that sized pattern
 
I don't want to say "ugly". Think of it like a woman. "The woman next door" may have been fine to oogle, until you see Angelina Jolie....:D
 
I like a finer/more intricate pattern. I agree with Nebulae though, the blade
size makes a difference. That same pattern (chive) on a sword may look better.
 
The Kerhsaw is OK, better than the Bear for sure. The Kerhsaw etching is much too dark and the dark sections overwhelm the light layers, but at least the layers are contrasted and the lines are distinct. With the Bear (and others) damascus, the layers are dark gray and even darker gray, and the layers blur together.

Here's what I consider to be nice-looking damascus (random online photo). Well-defined layers. Good color contrast between the light and dark layers. Good balance of light and dark

whisker%20walrus%20ivory-damascus.JPG
 
trix2004 said:
+1 , poor quality knifes. :thumbdn:
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I disagree.

While some patterns of damascus might not be as exquisite as those made by custom makers here on Bladeforums, it doesn't mean that the steel is of a lesser quality steel or that the knives made with said steel are poor quality. I can imagine that some makers and manufacturers prefer functionality over looks, I know I do.
 
i am not sure damascus adds any functionality. i think it is all for looks in which case how it looks is important
 
I do know my Kershaw Damascus knives take a wicked edge very easily. They should with steels like 52100, and 5160 mixed up in their damascus.

I'm not very concerned with looks, performance is everything. That being said I don't consider Kershaw Damascus ugly.
 
richarjs said:
i am not sure damascus adds any functionality. i think it is all for looks in which case how it looks is important
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Damascus uses different alloys which many times wear at different rates. At the edge this means it makes something similar to "micro serrations" and should work good for cutting rope or anything that serrations excel at. Since it normally uses carbon steel it is not going to hold an edge like some of the newer super steels but well made damascus should hold an edge well and work well on pull cuts.

I don't think it looks bad. Some looks like random pattern and the bottom looks like it might be a chain damascus made from something like a chain saw chain. The blade is etched to show the pattern which is similar to putting a patina on a carbon blade. Except the damscus has different alloys which take on different colors. I think the "ugly" damscus looks just as good as a blade with a patina which many like the looks of.
 
Just to reiterate, it's not an issue of the steel's functionality, it's purely an issue of aesthetics I'm raising. I agree that an etch with more contrast looks better. I guess part of it is that the random pattern is not my favorite, although the picture that Bob W. posted is nice random damascus.

- Mark
 
I think you may just be a little spoiled:p
If you think about it the mass produced knives are being made by Joe Blow on an assembly line, while the custom maker puts his heart soul and reputation into each knife he makes. So the custom maker is going to put much more effort into what he does, select the right pattern for a blade shape and have a more refined, read time consuming, finish.
 
Some might say the Shallot in this one is ugly. I say it's uglier than the pretty ones above it. :D
DAMFAMILY2.jpg
 
Here is one of my Toothpicks. It cost about double of any of the two above.
The "better" looking the pattern, the more it costs. (some of those crazy ATS34, stainless patterns cost too)
CASE98S.jpg
 
I like the CRK damascus as much as anyone but you pay for that damascus heavily. Entry level damascus is mass produced and designed to be affordable so it's not feasible to have the insane, artistic patterns shown in higher quality knives. It's all up to how much one is willing to spend.
 
for damascus type of things devin thomas hands down no competition in my humble opinion. Thats what happens when you make tens of thousands of bars of it.... you get really good at it.
 
Mark J said:
I've noticed when I get a SMKW catalog that there are a number of companies that have what I consider to be really ugly damascus. Some of the companies are lesser known discount knife operations, but some are highly regarded manufacturers. Examples include Kershaw, Bear, Remington, Fox-n-Hound, Marbles, and Shrade. Is it just me or is some of this damascus really ugly? Perhaps I've just been spoiled with seeing some really nice damascus by the custom makers here on BF and makers such as Devin Thomas and Mike Norris. Thoughts?

- Mark


MA520.jpg
Click to expand...

I quite like this one actually.
 
Mark J said:
Perhaps I've just been spoiled with seeing some really nice damascus by the custom makers here on BF and makers such as Devin Thomas and Mike Norris. Thoughts?

Mark
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

Some guys are just in a class of their own I think...........

2 more... off the top of my head
Pierre Reverdy
http://images.google.com.au/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=vFC&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&channel=s&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=pierre+reverdy+damascus&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0

Jerry Fisk
http://images.google.com.au/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&hl=en&source=hp&q=jerry+fisk&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Cheers
:)
 
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