Thanks for all nice comments guys. The new CPM wonder steels are great, but stainless Damascus will outlast them in many knifemakers and daily users opinion.
Damascus is old school, going back thousands of years. The modern technique of making it far surpasses ancient times. Figure you're taking two high quality steels(in this case stainless) and welding them together while folding and re-folding them. This makes the steel hundreds of times stronger then conventional blades. Far more than is needed for a knife blade. The Damascus is then etched with faric(?) cloride, a kind of acid that brings out the pattern. Very hard to ware off, and would take an awful long time. I have many Damascus blades withOUT clear coating that I've used for years, none of which shows any signs of ware or fading of the etching. The beauty of it is; once there is sign of ware, it can be brought back to new with a quick re-etch.
Chris Reeve has even more protected the pattern etch by the addition of his clear coat Kalguard. Not only does completely protect the steel from any type of corrosion and scratching but also gives the Damascus a slight polished look. Not bright mind you, but a kind of really cool glow.
Any Sebenza I get I try for a Damascus blade. I'll try and limit my babble a this point by just saying; I can't say enough about the preformance of Devon Thomas's stainless Damascus. It holds an outstanding edge, is easily sharpened, and I've never...ever had a corrosion(rust) or any other problems. Too include chipping of the edge which you see all too much in the CPM steels(S30V).
Anyone here have the opportunity to pick up a Sebenza with Damascus, I highly recommend it!
:thumbup:
The picture below is my large limited with ladder pattern SS Damascus. I've used it to whittle more sticks than I can count. The blade has is still factory sharp and never been resharpened. USE THIS STEEL!!
